Stephen Mally/Icon SMI
Say goodnight, JoePa. After a stunning 24-23 defeat at Iowa, No. 3 Penn State's national title hopes are officially cooked.
Yes, the Nittany Lions can still win the Big Ten title and end up with an 11-1 record. And yes, it's extremely possible that no BCS-conference team will finish the regular season undefeated. But due to the Big Ten's perceived inferiority this season, Penn State's lone blemish has far more significance than a single notch in the loss column. That lone defeat serves as a knockout blow.
In this kooky championship system that we call the BCS, there are two forms of administration -- human and computer -- and both will view Penn State's slipup in Iowa City as an unforgivable loss.
Among us humans, there's a general understanding that the two best conferences in college football this year are the Big 12 and the SEC. So naturally, voters in the Coaches and Harris polls would like to see the champions of these two leagues face off in Miami. Entering today, Penn State's perfect record was the fly in the ointment. (How can an undefeated Nittany Lions team be completely blackballed from the title game? Who cares if the Big Ten is down? It's Penn State, one of the proudest traditions in college football!) But now that the Nittany Lions have a loss -- toodeloo, PSU.
Usually, the artificial intelligence is a bit more unpredictable. But the computer polls gave us a sign in last week's BCS rankings. Penn State was ranked fourth in computer average, behind fellow undefeateds Alabama and Texas Tech and one-loss Texas. Therefore, in the computers' eyes, the unblemished Big Ten team was inferior to the unblemished SEC team, the unblemished Big 12 team and a one-loss Big 12 team. No longer perfect, the Nittany Lions will tumble below all other one-loss, BCS-conference teams in the computer world.
Although it seems like an unlikely scenario to consider at this point, there are strong indications the BCS would even favor a two-loss champion from the Big 12 or SEC over a one-loss Penn State team.
So that's it. Joe Paterno's dreams of a third national title have been shattered. Even if the 81-year-old returns next season -- remember, he still hasn't worked out an extension beyond '08 -- the Nittany Lions won't have the horses to contend for a BCS championship. Penn State's proud senior class, headlined by Derrick Williams, Deon Butler, Jordan Norwood, A.Q. Shipley, Anthony Scirrotto, Mark Rubin and Tyrell Sales, will have to settle for a potential trip to the Rose Bowl.
In the aftermath of the one-point loss, Nittany Lions fans will undoubtedly recall a number of egregious errors, especially Daryll Clark's interception with four minutes remaining. Holding a 23-21 lead on 3rd-and-24 at the Iowa 37, Clark lofted an errant pass into a strong wind, resulting in an easy pick by Iowa safety Tyler Sash. The Hawkeyes proceeded to march down the field and Daniel Murray booted the game-winning field goal. Penn State's national title hopes -- literally gone with the wind. (Sorry, I had to do it.)
It's a sad, sad night in State College.
For most of the country, though, Penn State's undoing set off a grand celebration. After two straight Ohio State debacles, America is ready for a national title game that doesn't include the Big Ten.
As it looks right now, we're headed for a desirable Big 12-SEC showdown for all the marbles. But what happens if the Big 12 North shocks the world in the Big 12 title game?
USC fans' ears just perked up ...
Kayla Oberg
Chelsey Buhler
Did You See That?
Back in Time: July 3
Comments (159) Add A Comment
I was really hoping that Penn State finished undefeated, if for no other reason that it would create more BCS controversy.
Omagus
Austin, TX
Total Comments (590)
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gators are moving on up. Now for either Texas Tech or Alabama to lose.
ArmyOfOne11
Orlando , FL
Total Comments (494)
I don't think you can blame that interception. The Hawks should have had the ball anyway, the refs made a terrible call when the threw the roughing the kicker flag. Replay shows the kickers leg came down on the defensive player. So, had the refs not blown that call, the Hawks would have had possession anyway. Maybe it was Karma!!!
SafetyGuy
Anamosa , IA
Total Comments (1)
You play Alabama in the SEC championship game. You don't have to hope for them to lose, your team just has to beat them.
spiderz
Total Comments (17)
While it's highly unlikely that PSU will play in the title game, it's far too early to count out any one-loss team . . . did you learn nothing last year?
coreybower
Total Comments (13)
What a stupid article, PSU has pretty good chances going to the NC game, if TTU loses one game (helloooo overhyped raiders next game is Norman, OK).... Then if in the Big 12 chamionship game Mizzou wins ...ta da, next in line is PSU!!! The point being that the overated , defenseless Big 12 champion would have 2 losses compared to one loss Big 10 champion. The SEC champion goes to the NC game, no question about that, due to the fact that Florida or Alabama would have suffered only one loss... PAC 10, Big East, ACC champions do not stand any chance for NC game considerations ( ta da USC , what's up with Oregon State winning PAC 10).
lamgol
State College , PA
Total Comments (20)
These writers and talkingheads know nothing!!! Just like to hear themselves talk, and get a pat on their pinheads from their editors. Big Tens' percieved weakness?..something created and nurtured by who??? Media types. Always wrong..if they knew anything... Georgia wouldn't have been # 1 or USC, or Oklahoma, or Texas or???... Is Alabama overrated after struggling with LSU or is LSU underrated..was Okie State overrated because they got bombed..what about if OU pummels TT in a couple of weeks..whos rating would have been wrong? Let's have a vote who should be crowned baseball's world champ?...oh that's right THEY DECIDE IT ON THE PLAYING FIELD. Any one really think Tennessee Titans will win the SuperBowl?? They're rated #1... but unlike NCAA (akin to Wall St scoundrels), read greedy slime. Just too stupid to realize they won't lose $ and probalby make MORE with a playoff. Simple minded academics, fine to run a school poorly enough to have to raise tuition annually, but I wouldn't trust them to make sound business decisions
Penn State's defense would allow them a chance to beat anyone. Big 12? SEC? can't spell defense let alone play it.
fadingfan
Aurora , CO
Total Comments (3)
Really? lol You dont actually believe any of that crap do you? PSU will fall to at least #9 this week. That is a TERRIBLE loss. Even worse than USC to Oregon State and VERY near as FLA to Ole Miss (although, granted, the gators was at home - but Ole Miss is lightyears better than Iowa). PSU will need TT (twice), FLa, Texas (twice), USC, Oklahoma, Alabama (twice), and UTAH (!!!) to lose for them to have a shot. Do you even watch football? There's no chance of this happening - not even in today's BCS world. lol best of luck next season PSU.
CanadianTrojan
Kingston, CA
Total Comments (217)
Really? lol You dont actually believe any of that crap do you? PSU will fall to at least #9 this week. That is a TERRIBLE loss. Even worse than USC to Oregon State and VERY near as FLA to Ole Miss (although, granted, the gators was at home - but Ole Miss is lightyears better than Iowa). PSU will need TT (twice), FLa, Texas (twice), USC, Oklahoma, Alabama (twice), and UTAH (!!!) to lose for them to have a shot. Do you even watch football? There's no chance of this happening - not even in today's BCS world. lol best of luck next season PSU.
CanadianTrojan
Kingston, CA
Total Comments (217)
I would like to see Florida and Texas Tech in NC game. It should be a high scoring game.
CT0425
Total Comments (1)
It is very simple my friend - If Oregon State wins PAC 10 USC have no chance jumping over PSU . Plus do you think 2 loss Big 12 champion (Mizzou) and 2 loss SEC champion (Florida) would fare better than PSU in the final BCS standings??? I assume Florida loses to FSU in Tallahassee(FSU plays real defense unlike the cupcake defenses in SEC). I am just sayng PSU still has pretty good chance, think about it ....
lamgol
State College , PA
Total Comments (20)
all of that doesn't matter as you may be dropping to double digits in the rankings? and yes, even if Oregon State wins the Pac-10 USC will finish ahead of PSU because if USC wins out as does PSU, USC will have a 3-5 spot head start starting with this weeks poll. You are going to make up ground with "signature wins" over Indiana and Michigan State? Don't think so.
and there's no way Florida loses to Florida State the way that machine of an offense has been rolling lately - put your head on straight. Delusional Big 10 fan's.
CanadianTrojan
Kingston, CA
Total Comments (217)
Ha, ha Canadian Trojan, how can you possibly envision your favorite trojans being ahead of PSU if Oregon State wins PAC 10 ?????? Current BCS standings means nothing, the fact is that nobody would dare put a USC team , who lost to an OrSU team that PSU dismantled. Plus USC will not even be a PAC 10 champion . Logic is obvious and simple, all polsters & coaches will see that...Just too bad for you...you lost to the wrong PAC 10 team this year.
lamgol
State College , PA
Total Comments (20)
I don't dismiss Penn State's chances of making the title game entirely, but it would probably take a repeat of the weirdness we saw last year.
At this point I see six serious contenders -- AL, FL, USC, Tech, UT and OU.
And two maybe if everything broke right and there was a massive collapse at the top -- Penn State and Utah.
FWTX
Total Comments (197)
.........The bloom is off the rose. If PSU can't get around a 5-4 Iowa team decisively they don't deserve to be a part of a titel debate. After today's game I have to worry about whether or not they can beat Michigan State. As a PSU fan I can live with a one or two loss season considering what next year will be like with the lose of so many seniors. I think a few tough seasons await................................ and we could see an interesting Rose Bowl is they make it and play OSU again!
passnthru
Fullerton , CA
Total Comments (114)
FWTX, I agree, except for the USC, they can not be ranked higher than PSU if Oregon State wins PAC 10.
lamgol
State College , PA
Total Comments (20)
There's no rule that a team has to be a conference champion to participate in the national title game, although a lot of pollsters may consider it an "unofficial" rule. That could also apply, for example, to Texas, if say, Tech or OU was the Big 12 South rep and lost to Missouri. And no guarantee Oregon State will win the Pac 10. They still face Oregon, for one.
FWTX
Total Comments (197)
A tale of two losses...
Florida and Superman Tebow lose AT HOME to an UNRANKED team and everyone is in love with them again...excuse me while I throw up...meanwhile...
Penn State loses on the road in a windstorm to an UNRANKED team and they're completely out of it!! Mr. Flice said it best...a Big 12/SEC match-up is what the POLLSTERS want to see!! College football fans; however, want to see a muthaflukkin' playoff!!
bigsqueezeindecatur
Decatur , GA
Total Comments (46)
I am not saying that PSU should go to the NC game, I think they are not that good this year anyway....but there is a very interesting (nightmarish to BCS) scenario: Big 12 and SEC champions all have 2 losses... (Florida loses to FSU in Tallahassee and wins SEC championship game, FSU plays really solid defense) , and the Big 12 South champion loses to Mizzou....Then we have probably UT, OU, USC, AL with one loss, but NOT championship titles on their belt....and PSU with one loss , but a Big 10 champion. What would you think will be the final BCS ranking? Just curious...
lamgol
State College , PA
Total Comments (20)
Granted OSU has been an embarrasment to the Big 10 the past few years in the bowl games. But let me remind everyone that this isn't the case when Penn State gets to a bowl game. They beat the speedy FSU Criminoles in the Orange Bowl, stomped on Tennessee in the Outback bowl (the same Tennessee who had only lost by 1 point to eventual champ Florida that season,) and beat a Big 12 team last year in Texas A&M. Check your stats folks, PSU doesn't disapoint often when they get to a bowl game.
PSU Mont Alto
Total Comments (4)
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