It's not every college football bowl game that features ritualistic sacrifice of a bowl game mascot after completion of the game. But then, not every team gets to play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl.

Now the Buckeyes face No. 5 Texas at the Cotton Bowl. The other semifinal, to be played on Jan. 9, has No. 6 Penn State vs. the winner of Thursday's game between No. 2 Georgia and No. 7 Notre Dame.

The longest postseason in college football history is at hand. A look at the entire bowl lineup ending with the national title game on Jan. 20.

The Ohio State University was crowned national champions just over a month after the road to the championship game started.