Sometimes the system actually works. The Bowl Championship Series has more than its fair share of critics, a hefty following that yearns to see the concept of computers and number crunching concerning football done away with.

But the BCS's foremost purpose has always been to ensure the two best college football teams meet in the national championship game by season's end, prayerfully with unblemished records.

So give this round to the BCS.

Yesterday, the powers that be announced what even the most remotely casual Penn State fan expected after No. 1 USC and No. 2 Texas finished with undefeated regular seasons: For the first time in 20 years, Penn State is going to the Orange Bowl.

The FedEx Orange Bowl will take place Jan. 3 at Dolphins Stadium in Miami. The occasion will mark a reunion of the two most winningest coaches in college football history: Bobby Bowden of Florida State and Penn State's Joe Paterno. It will be the first time their schools have met since 1990.

"I can't hardly believe that that's happening after losing three straight ball games," Bowden said in reference to his team's losing streak prior to its upset victory against Virginia Tech on Saturday. "Falling from grace, falling from the polls, and here we are going to a BCS bowl. I feel very fortunate and lucky."

The Seminoles (8-4) didn't exactly run away with their conference quite like the Nittany Lions. This season, the winner of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) received the automatic bowl berth to the Orange Bowl. And somewhat surprisingly, FSU's four losses were sufficient enough to secure a spot in the ACC championship game against highly favored Virginia Tech.

Though this was a big weekend in terms of recruiting for Penn State, Paterno said he did keep an eye on the contest when he wasn't entertaining prospective Lions.

"I didn't watch all of it," Paterno said.

"But [FSU] came there to do it. They played tough football, the kicking game and the whole bit. I think they were a little embarrassed with the three straight losses."

Because of the great success the two coaches have had over a large span of time, they've often been linked together. Paterno was quick to point out that the two men well into their 70s won't actually be playing.

"Bobby and I are good friends and have been friends for a long, long time," Paterno said. "But the two teams are the ones that got us here. We ought to be looking at two football teams that have a chance to go down there and knock each other's brains out."

Penn State will be playing in its 32nd bowl game under Paterno, who is the all-time leader in post-season appearances and victories with 20. The Lions have a lifetime 3-1 record in the Orange Bowl.

Penn State's only loss in the Orange Bowl came in the 1985 National Championship game, when the Lions lost to Oklahoma, 25-10, on Jan. 1, 1986, in a battle of unbeaten teams.

After the Lions beat Michigan State back on Nov. 19 to capture a share of the Big Ten title, Penn State quarterback Michael Robinson said his focus was still on competing in the Rose Bowl, although he admitted the Lions would need help.

That help never came, though, because the Men of Troy and the Longhorns finished the season where they started -- as the top two ranked teams.

It is actually the first time the BCS system has ended the season with its preseason No. 1 and 2 teams lasting throughout.

Nevertheless, the Seminoles will be making their 23rd straight bowl appearance, while the Lions are happy that they're playing in one for the first time since 2002, not to mention their first-ever BCS bowl game.

And like it or not, Paterno knows much of the attention will surround him and Bowden.

"It's a matchup between two old guys who have a lot of fun coaching," Paterno said.

"We're looking forward to going back."