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College Football Playoff: 5 Teams we wished made the Semifinals

By Jerran Anderson

Nov 26, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; A general view of Michigan Wolverines helmets on the sideline during the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won the game 30-27 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; A general view of Michigan Wolverines helmets on the sideline during the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won the game 30-27 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 3, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Penn State Nittany Lions

The Penn State Nittany Lions are probably the biggest snub of this season’s College Football Playoff Semifinal. After starting 2-2, the Nittany Lions won their last nine games of the season. They finished the year by upsetting Wisconsin 38-31 to win the Big Ten title after trailing 28-7 in the second quarter.

James Franklin’s team beat the Ohio State Buckeyes 24-21 after blocking a field goal attempt on October 22. To no avail, the Playoff Committee did not give Penn State any credit for their underdog victories. They went 11-2 in Franklin’s third season as head coach, and they played in the Big Ten Championship for the first time since the championship game was established in 2011.

Quarterback Trace McSorley threw for 3,360 passing yards and 25 passing touchdowns this season, leading the Big Ten in both categories. Teammate running back Saquon Barkley was second in the conference in rushing yards (1,302) and first in rushing touchdowns (16) this season.
They’ll look to finish the season with 10 wins in a row in their game against USC in the Rose Bowl on January 2.

While the Nittany Lions may not be playing in the College Football Playoff this year, they’ll be early favorites to make it into next season’s final four.

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