Ohio State did not play for a Big Ten championship and Notre Dame is an independent, but they square off for a national title ...

That game will be played on Jan. 9 (7:30 p.m., ESPN). The Nittany Lions' defense performed admirably without All-American and dominating edge rusher Carter for the final three quarters.

College Football Playoff expansion makes it unlikely that the bracket will feature the same 12 teams two years in a row, but ...