Uncertainty surrounds Penn State bowl bid
Penn State was expecting to receive and accept a bowl invitation on Sunday night, but the identity of the bowl remained up in the air because of uncertainty over how the Lions are being considered in the wake of the child sexual abuse scandal involving former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky.
Penn State was expecting to receive and accept a bowl invitation on Sunday night, but the identity of the bowl remained up in the air because of uncertainty over how the Lions are being considered in the wake of the child sexual abuse scandal involving former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky.
Another factor for which a bowl would take the Nittany Lions is whether Michigan will climb into the top 14 in Sunday night's final BCS standings, thus making the Wolverines eligible for an at-large bowl bid.
However, Saturday's results did not favor a move-up in the BCS by the Wolverines, who were ranked 16th last week. Victories by Kansas State (No. 11), Baylor (No. 17), and TCU (No. 18) would certainly improve their standing, especially since Michigan has completed its season.
So Michigan will get a bid to a bowl that has an agreement with the Big Ten, probably the Capital One Bowl in Orlando.
Figuring the four teams finishing ahead of Penn State - the Big Ten division winners, along with Michigan and Nebraska - will go to the Rose, Capital One, Outback, and Insight Bowls, the Nittany Lions would go the fifth spot (Gator) or sixth (Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas).
The Gator Bowl has discussed a meeting between Florida and Ohio State, matching the former and future teams of coach Urban Meyer. That would leave the Lions in the Meineke Car Care Bowl on Dec. 31 in Houston against a Big 12 opponent.
More bowls. Florida International, from the Sun Belt Conference, will play a Conference USA opponent in the Beef O'Brady's Bowl Dec. 20 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. The Golden Panthers accepted the bid Saturday.
Coaching move. Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino said Alabama-Birmingham hired Razorbacks offensive coordinator Garrick McGee as head coach. Petrino issued a statement Saturday congratulating McGee on landing the job. A UAB spokesman said he had not heard of a hiring. The Blazers fired Neil Callaway after he concluded his fifth season without posting a winning record.