State College and Dublin are approximately 3,333 miles apart, which should make for a nice pregame warmup for Bill O’Brien and company. (Centre Daily Times/MCT/Getty Images)

By Zac Ellis

Another college football season opener in Ireland could be in the works. After Notre Dame and Navy squared off in Dublin last fall, Penn State and Central Florida are discussing the option of opening the 2014 season against one another in Ireland, the Orlando Sentinel reports.

Nittany Lions coach Bill O’Brien and Knights coach George O’Leary are both of Irish heritage and have talked about the possibility of a matchup across the pond for months. The game would serve as the second half of a previously scheduled home-and-home, with the first meeting taking place this Sept. 14 in State College.

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George O’Leary’s UCF Knights will be bowl eligible this season after winning their NCAA appeal. (Landov)

By Zac Ellis

The NCAA granted Central Florida’s appeal of a one-year postseason ban, the school officially announced Monday.

Reports surfaced on Friday that UCF’s appeal had indeed been granted, but the school released a statement on Monday confirming the decision by the NCAA.

“We are pleased with this ruling and applaud the NCAA for handling our appeal with care, competency and professionalism,” UCF President John C. Hitt said in a statement. “Our football program looks forward to competing for an American Athletic Conference championship and a bowl berth.”

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UCF’s decision to play in the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl last year was a gamble that paid off for the Knights. (Landov)

By Zac Ellis

Central Florida has a chance to go bowling as a new member of the American Athletic Conference. The Orlando Sentinel is reporting that the Knights have won their NCAA appeal and will be eligible for postseason play in 2013.

The school’s appeal came in reaction to heavy sanctions handed down by the NCAA last season as a result of recruiting violations and a loss of institutional control ruling. The school accepted much of the NCAA’s punishment across both the football and men’s basketball programs, but UCF president John Hitt decided to appeal football sanctions he felt were excessive. UCF played in the Conference USA title game and the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl last season while its appeal was heard.

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Tracking the zeitgeist of college football’s second weekend through social media:

MAMA! COME ON INSIDE! ONE OF THESE UTAH TEAMS BOUT TO PUNT! CAN’T MISS THAT!

— Jason Kirk (@JasonKirkSBN) September 8, 2012

ACC MISSED THE BOAT ON UTAH.

— THE KEY PLAY (@thekeyplay) September 8, 2012

Special Teams Coach Beehive was a sentimental hire from the start for Utah. Won’t save his job after this game. (Plus: is beehive.)

— edsbs (@edsbs) September 8, 2012

@andy_staples @ben_jones88 We’re still getting our shirts and ties pressed at 9 am.We’re not Juggalos.

— Bobby Big Wheel (@BobbyBigWheel) September 8, 2012

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