Wisconsin and Penn State weren’t battling for a spot in the College Football Playoff this weekend, but the rankings of the two teams was significant on Sunday. Whichever team was higher in the poll would undoubtedly be headed to Pasadena to be the B1G representative in the Rose Bowl.

The Badgers came out on top despite a 34-21 loss to Ohio State in the B1G Championship Game on Saturday. Wisconsin was ranked No. 8 on Sunday, while Penn State was two spots back at No. 10. The Nittany Lions did receive a nice consolation prize, headed to the Cotton Bowl to take on No. 17 Memphis.

After the rankings were released, ESPN spoke with College Football Playoff committee chair Rob Mullens about the committee’s decision to keep Wisconsin ahead of Penn State. The individuals in the room thought Wisconsin played well enough to keep its spot.

“With the way [Wisconsin] performed in the conference championship, they deseved to stay ahead,” Mullens said.

Wisconsin finished the year with a 10-3 record, falling twice to No. 2 Ohio State and Illinois. The Badgers did have wins over No. 14 Michigan, No. 16 Iowa and No. 18 Minnesota. Penn State only lost to the Buckeyes and Gophers and had victories over the Wolverines, Hawkeyes and Pitt, as well.

The Nittany Lions were 10-2.

There was also some conversation about potentially moving Utah ahead of Penn State, but Mullens said the Utes couldn’t capitalize on their games against ranked teams USC and Oregon. That gave the Lions the nod for the Cotton Bowl.

It may not be the Rose Bowl, but for the third time in four seasons, Penn State is in a New Year’s Six contest.