College football will have consecutive national champions from outside the Sun Belt region for the first time in three decades if Ohio State beats Texas in a playoff semifinal this week.

Boise State's loss to Penn State in the Playoff quarterfinals underscored a crucial flaw in a system meant to reward conference champions.

Thursday's Sugar Bowl game between No. 7 Notre Dame and No. 2 Georgia. Penn State never trailed against Boise State, building a 14-0 lead in the first quarter before taking a 17-7 lead into the half.