Spurned by Rose Bowl, Penn State to meet Memphis in Cotton Bowl

Extended an inviation to a high-profile bowl with a storied history, it probably wouldn’t have been polite for Penn State coach James Franklin to grouse about being passed over by the Rose Bowl on Sunday.

So he didn’t.

Franklin put on a perfectly happy face while discussing No. 10 Penn State’s matchup with No. 17 Memphis in the Cotton Bowl at 1 p.m. Dec. 28 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

The words “Rose Bowl” never once escaped his lips during a 20-minute conference call with reporters.

“We’re excited about the Cotton Bowl,” Franklin said. “I think it’s an unbelievable opportunity to be in a New Year’s Six game. I’ve never been to the Cotton Bowl before. I’m looking forward to that opportunity. I’m looking forward to being in Dallas. I’m looking forward to being in Jerry’s World. I’m looking forward to it all.”

In one sense, the Cotton Bowl bid is a feather in the cap of the Penn State program.

Breaking in a new starting quarterback, Penn State was ranked 15th in the preseason AP poll. To earn a berth in one of the so-called New Year’s Six bowls — Rose, Cotton, Sugar, Orange, Peach and Fiesta — is an achievement.

Penn State has reached a New Year’s Six game in three of the last four years.

In another sense, though, it’s a disappointment.

Penn State (10-2) was 8-0 and in the college football playoff conversation before losing to Minnesota and Ohio State in November.

On top of that, a Rose Bowl berth was a possibility coming into the weekend.

Because No. 2 Ohio State earned a berth in the college football playoff with a victory over Wisconsin in the Big Ten championship game Saturday night, the Rose Bowl got its second choice from the conference.

It chose No. 8 Wisconsin (10-3), which won the Big Ten West before losing Saturday night. The Badgers lost to Ohio State and Illinois in the regular season.

“There’s always that percentage of fans that maybe have different opinions on social media and they can be vocal, but I know the majority — the great majority of our fans — couldn’t be more excited about this opportunity and I know our team feels the same way,” Franklin said.

The Tigers (11-1), on the other hand, should have no mixed feelings. A Cotton Bowl appearance is a high-water mark for the program.

Memphis earned its spot by defeating Cincinnati, 29-24, in the American Athletic Conference championship game Saturday night.

The Tigers, whose lone loss was a 30-28 setback at Temple in October, are ranked eighth in the country in scoring average with 40.5 points per game. Quarterback Brady White is ninth in the country with 3,560 passing yards. He has thrown 33 touchdown passes and nine interceptions. Freshman running back Kenny Gainwell is eighth in the nation with 1,425 rushing yards. He has 12 touchdowns.

Most of the conversation surrounding Memphis over the three weeks, however, probably will focus on its coaching situation. Mike Norvell is leaving the school to take the Florida State job. Deputy head coach Ryan Silverfield is taking over on an interim basis.

Silverfield said Norvell met with the Memphis team Sunday morning, and his departure was amicable.

“We’re moving forward,” Silverfield said. “We’re just focused on myself and the staff in place right now coaching this ballgame. The chips will fall where they may.”

There will be a focus on the coach on the Penn State sidelines as well. Franklin agreed to a six-year contract extension Friday.

“We’ve got a bunch of recruits on campus today,” Franklin said. “I know that’s been a major point of conversation, recruits knowing and understanding I have a contract that’s going to last throughout their career. That’s a big part of it as well.”

Penn State will be making its fourth trip to the Cotton Bowl. The Nittany Lions tied SMU, 13-13, in 1948; beat Texas, 30-6, in 1972; and beat Baylor, 41-20, in 1975.

It will be the first meeting between Penn State and Memphis.