Mariota puts NFL talk aside

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are on the clock, holding the first pick in the 2015 NFL draft.

While their plans for that selection will inevitably begin by scouting star quarterbacks Marcus Mariota of Oregon and Jameis Winston of Florida State in the Rose Bowl, Mariota said he hasn't been paying much attention to his future employers.

"To be honest, I try not to focus on that," Mariota said Monday during media day for the College Football Playoff semifinal. "I understand that can become a distraction, especially with the game coming up."

He is expected to declare for the NFL draft, having graduated from Oregon, but the Heisman Trophy winner said he would not make a decision until after the Ducks' season ends.

Happy at 'Bama. A former head coach in the pro and college ranks, Lane Kiffin said he plans to return to Alabama next season as offensive coordinator. Alabama (12-1) faces No. 5 Ohio State (12-1) in the Sugar Bowl, a national semifinal, Thursday night.

Oakman staying put. Former Penn Wood star Shawn Oakman will return next season to Baylor, passing up a chance to enter the draft. The 6-foot-9, 280-pound junior was a transfer from Penn State.

Texas A&M 45, West Virginia 37 -

Kyle Allen threw four touchdown passes and ran for a fifth score as the Aggies (8-5) prevailed in Memphis. The Mountaineers finished at 7-6.

Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin ordered student assistant Michael Richardson off the sideline for the second half after videos showed him striking West Virginia players on two out-of-bounds plays. One of the players was cornerback Daryl Worley, a sophomore from Penn Charter.

Clemson 40, Oklahoma 6 -

Cole Stoudt threw for three TDs as the 18th-ranked Tigers (10-3) rolled in Orlando. The Sooners (8-5) had five turnovers.