About the Nittany Lions

Yesterday, the Penn State Nittany Lions nosed past the Ohio State Buckeyes. It was the Lions last real test for the remainder of the season, and with an undefeated record have a good chance at playing in the national title game should the Texas Longhorns or Alabama Crimson Tide stumble along the way. This has provided much angst for the critics of the Big Ten.
Here are the facts, though. Penn State can't dictate whether or not their opponents are any good, especially their conference rivals, and even major conference opponents like Oregon State or Syracuse, who were scheduled several years ago. Speaking of Oregon State, if you don't recall, they were the only team to beat USC, the team that whupped Ohio State.
Let's not let that slip by either. Yes, the Buckeyes were destroyed by USC, and yes the Lions only squeaked by the Buckeyes, but you can't discount the effect of playing at home and playing on the road. Purdue, for example, has lost by 25 at Northwestern, and then came home and held Penn State to what had been their lowest point total of the season. Northwestern then went on the road and lost to Indiana. USC, of course, lost in Corvallis. The circuitous point I'm trying to make here is that of course the Ohio State game was close. It was in Columbus. Also, the Lions did it without their starting quarterback!
If Alabama and Texas pass all their tests, then absolutely, they should in the national title game. The consensus is that their conferences are a more difficult, and by that measure, they are more deserving of a shot at the title. But if either school stumbles along the way, fails a test, then we should give the opportunity to Penn State to play in that national title. Penn State shouldn't be punished for the crimes of their conference.