Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in

So, you assumed–as any rational college football fan would–that once Penn State gagged away the Iowa game, the Nittany Lions were essentially eliminated from the National Title picture. Wrong, as some writers are already coming up with clever ways in which Penn State could actually still play for all the Miami beans.

The occasionally brilliant Pete Fiutak, from CFN:

"This isn’t as crazy as it might appear. Remember, Ohio State was a distant seventh in the BCS rankings last year at this time and it didn’t get anywhere near the respect that Penn State receives. Compared to others on this list, the No. 68 schedule ranking isn’t horrific, but being in the Big Ten hurts. When the dust settles there will likely be wins over just four teams that’ll end up going bowling, and the non-conference games against Coastal Carolina and Temple would haunt the argument. However, it’s not like the Nittany Lions got blasted by Iowa. It took a last-second field goal on the road to lose, while a case could be made that the loss in Iowa City was better than Florida’s loss at home to Ole Miss and USC’s loss at Oregon State. The win at Ohio State was as good as anything Florida and Alabama has come up with so far."

The usually punkish Dennis Dodd, from Sportsline:

"All is not lost for Penn State. There is a convoluted way that Joe Paterno can get to the national championship game.
1. Penn State wins out to go 11-1
2. Alabama loses to at least two of the three: Mississippi State, Auburn and Florida.
3. Texas Tech loses to Oklahoma and Baylor.
4. Oklahoma State defeats Oklahoma.
5. Missouri defeats Texas in the Big 12 title game.
6. USC loses once more to either Stanford, Notre Dame or UCLA.
7. Utah loses to San Diego State or BYU.
That would leave Florida No. 1 at 12-1. Bama, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Texas and USC would each have at least two losses. An undefeated Utah might not be a threat anyway but a loss to BYU ends the Utes' hope for making a miraculous run to the national championship game. The only possible No. 2 would be Penn State. Hey, I told you it was convoluted."

Bill Kao, from Bleacher Report:

"People....Stop laughing. There is still a slim chance that Penn State could end up playing in Miami for the National Championship. Remember, Ohio State last year was ranked #7 in the BCS poll last year at the same time and ended up in the Championship game so there is HOPE. Here is what will happen so let's all pray.
Nov 15 - Texas (3) vs Kansas: Kansas beats Texas and PSU moves up 1 spot to #7
Nov 22 - BYU (17) vs UTAH (7): Go Mormons and see below...
Nov 22 - Texas Tech (2) vs Oklahoma (5): Bob Stoops is 60-2 at home and TT's luck runs out. PSU moves to #6
Nov 29 - Florida (4) vs FSU (19): FSU is due for a win over the Gators. Why not.
Nov 29 - Oklahoma (stays at 5 with win against TT) vs Oklahoma St (#13): Oklahoma St cowboys Oklahoma at home.
Nov 29 - ND vs USC (6): This will be the only time that I am a ND fan. Claussen goes home and show's off his arm. PSU moves to #3 with loss from Florida, Oklahoma and USC.
Dec 6 - Big 12 Title game - Texas Tech (2) vs Missouri (12): Chase Daniel goes for the Heisman and throws for 500 yards.
Dec 6 - SEC title game - Alabama (1) vs Florida (5): Tim Tebow runs over Nick Saban and earns his 2nd Heisman Trophy.
Jan 8th - FLORIDA(1) VS PENN STATE (2)
NATIONAL CHAMPS: PENN STATE and Joe Paterno retires."

Chew on that for a while.