Penn State's wild comeback win over Wisconsin in the Big Ten championship was not enough.
The Nittany Lions were not selected to the four-team College Football Playoff, finishing fifth in the rankings.
Undefeated Alabama takes the top spot and will play No. 4 Washington. No. 2 Clemson will face No. 3 Ohio State.
Penn State earned its signature win of the season, handing felllow Big Ten member Ohio State its only loss of the season.
However, Penn State sputtered in the beginning of the year, losing to unranked Pittsburgh and was thrashed by Michigan — who finished sixth in the College Football Playoff rankings — 49-10.
The Nittany Lions will play No. 9 USC in the Rose Bowl. After a 1-3 start to the year, USC has won eight straight games, including wins over No. 10 Colorado and No. 4 Washington.
