For Penn State and Clemson, preseason aspirations of getting to the College Football Playoff as respective champions of the Big Ten and ACC deteriorated quickly this fall, resulting in a coach firing at one of the programs and finger-pointing at the other.

Baylor (5-5, 3-4 Big 12) – The Bears have a good offense, averaging 33.2 points, third-best in the Big 12, but they give most of it back when their opponents have the ball. Baylor ranks 15th in the 16-team Big 12 in scoring defense, allowing 31.9 points per game. The Bears have given up more than 30 points in four of their past five games.

Sugar Bowl officials are close to finalizing a six-year extension with the College Football Playoff to play a quarterfinal or semifinal CFP game annually in New Orleans through 2032, Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley said Tuesday.

The Oklahoma Sooners are in prime position to host a College Football Playoff game if they can take care of business the next two weeks.