d Ohio State beats Michigan. That would put Penn State, no

TROON, Scotland -- Rows and rows of tents cover a smooth, grassy field. Fathers and sons kick around a soccer ball. Others are simply lounging in their folding chairs, sipping on a beer and soaking up some rays.This might pass for a NASCAR infield.Instead, its a rugby club-turned-campground less than a mile from Royal Troon.Golf, it turns out, isnt just for the elites.For the first time, the R&A is giving a small group of fans the chance to camp out during the British Open, making things much more affordable for families and young adults.When Aileen McCormack was looking for a place to stay along with her husband, daughter, son-in-law and two grandchildren, the cheapest place wouldve set them back more than $5,000.The campsite is free. In fact, the R&A is providing tents sleeping up to six people, lanterns, air mattresses, toilets and showering facilities. The only condition is that someone in each party must have a junior ticket to the Open.Everythings provided, McCormack said Wednesday on the eve of the opening round, checking out a sprawling tent that her family has already turned into its own. Unbelievable.For the R&A, this is a way to spread the game -- long associated with the wealthy and privileged -- to those who dont necessarily have the financial means to stay in overpriced hotels that are the norm during Open week. In particular, the focus is on making the sport more attractive to young people.Its all about encouraging the next generation of golfer, said Tom Critchley, project manager for the campground. Your parents can bring you along and enjoy a weekend at the Open. It costs a lot of money to come to the golf. This is making it easier for the families who want to come and enjoy it. Then, hopefully, the kids will grow up remembering how great the Open was, and theyll come back again and again.The campground has been set up at the Marr Rugby Club, which lies at the end of a narrow, hedge-lined lane just off the main drag leading into Troon.In all, the tents can hold up to 500 people, and theyre fully booked for the weekend. While the bulk of the campers are from Scotland and England, some will be coming in from Spain and Germany, others from as far away as the United States and Canada.For safety reasons, no outdoor grilling is allowed. But theres an expansive, covered area where food and drinks are sold, providing a sort of beer-hall feel to the otherwise quiet surroundings. Two areas have been set aside to play soccer, complete with a pair of small goals on each pitch. Theres also a volleyball net and a spot where duffers can try their hand pitching golf balls through targets of tires.Rebecca Dixon is staying at the campground with her boyfriend, James Wass.The accommodation prices are crazy otherwise, the 21-year-old Dixon said. To open it up to students is a really good idea.While all are here primarily to attend golfs oldest major championship, the campground provides something to look forward to each evening. Theres a convivial atmosphere among the 20-somethings, who clearly relish the chance to hang out with people their own age in laid-back surroundings rather than some stuffy hotel.No need to dress up or arrange dinner reservations. Just pull up a chair and start a conversation with someone in the tent next to yours.Its really fun, the 22-year-old Wass said. There were a lot of people out playing football together, having drinks together.Of course, theres one potential drawback to camping: the weather. Thats no small consideration in Scotland, where strong winds and heavy rains are as much a part of the lifestyle as haggis, and temperatures often struggle to get out of the 60s even during the long summer days.In that regard, the first night went well for Wass and Dixon.It didnt rain, which was good, he said. It was a bit chilly in the evening, then it was really warm in the morning. So the tent did its job.After morning rains Wednesday, the sun broke through the clouds in the afternoon, bathing the campground in warm, soothing beams. McCormacks son-in-law, Paul Breslin, struck up an impromptu soccer game with his sons, 12-year-old Liam and 8-year-old Aidan. Her husband, Thomas McCormack, sat in front of their tent, inflating one of the air mattresses the family would be sleeping on.McCormack has been to the Open before, but he usually stayed far from the course and was often at the mercy of buses and trains to get around. Now, he can simply walk to Royal Troon each day.Theres even a path made right down to the course for us, down through the fields, he said. Its only a 10-minute walk down there. Absolutely brilliant.On a separate row of tents, Greg Wood had just checked with his son, Thomas. They hustled to get their living quarters squared away, and then headed off in hopes of catching a few players on the final day of practice before Thursdays opening round.Greg Wood sees no downside to bunking in a tent for the weekend.Not even the persnickety weather.Were used to it, he said. Its part of coming to the Open.Now, camping is too.---Follow Paul Newberry on Twitter at www.twitter.com/pnewberry1963 . His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/paul-newberry .Hydro Flask Black Friday Sale 2018 . After taking two big hits this week -- losing at home and dropping back-to-back games for the first time all season -- Indiana struck back by playing its most complete game of the year. Hydro Flask Wine Tumbler Sale . -- Ty Montgomery had 290 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns, and fifth-ranked Stanford held on to beat No. http://www.hydroflask32oz.com/standard-mouth/21-oz.html . The Redskins announced Monday that the quarterback who led the team to the Super Bowl championship in the 1987 season will serve as a personnel executive. Hydro Flask 40 Oz Black Friday . According to a report from the Vancouver Province, the Lions are expected to replace former DC Rich Stubler with defensive backs coach Mark Washington. Hydro Flask 20 Oz Coffee .B. -- The Baie-Comeau Drakkar took over sole possession of first place atop the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League on Thursday with their sixth straight win.Maybe the Big Ten should have its own playoff.For the second straight week, the College Football Playoff selection committee rankings have a distinct Big Ten feel. Four of the top seven teams in this weeks rankings are from the Big Ten, including No. 2 Ohio State and No. 3 Michigan, who square off Saturday in Columbus (noon ET, ABC/ESPN App). Wisconsin is No. 6, and Penn State is No. 7.This might be the final calm before the storm, especially with Rivalry Week and so many big matchups looming. In addition to the Michigan-Ohio State showdown, the Washington-Washington State, Oklahoma-Oklahoma State, Clemson-South Carolina and Alabama-Auburn rivalry games will also play key roles in determining who gets into the playoff.Perhaps the big question is this: Can two Big Ten teams make the playoff?If so, it would be the first time in the playoff era that two teams from the same conference made the field.For the Big Ten to crash the playoff party with two teams, its going to need some help. Washington is No. 5 this week. But if the Huskies lose Friday at No. 23 Washington State or against the South winner in the Pac-12 championship game, that could very well eliminate the Pac-12 from playoff contention.The Oklahoma-Oklahoma State winner also remains in the hunt. The Sooners are No. 8 and the Cowboys No. 10 this week. The Bedlam winner will have a channce but probably needs an upset in one of the other conference championship games.ddddddddddddBelieve it or not, Penn State might be the Big Ten team that has the clearest path to the playoff if the Nittany Lions beat Michigan State at home Saturday (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN) and Ohio State beats Michigan. That would put Penn State, not Ohio State, in the Big Ten championship game against either Wisconsin or No. 16 Nebraska. If the Nittany Lions, who have a head-to-head win over Ohio State (on Oct. 22), win the Big Ten title, the committee might be hard-pressed to go with the Buckeyes over the Nittany Lions in that scenario, even though Ohio State would have one fewer loss.USC, one of the countrys hottest teams, is still outside the top 10 this week at No. 12 and an extreme long shot. The Trojans would probably need chaos to have any chance to make the field. For starters, they would need to win the Pac-12 championship and probably would need Clemson to be upset in the ACC championship game.Keep in mind that the conference championship quotient isnt applied until that final weekend when the titles are decided.Either way, it could get dicey for the committee if it comes down to a choice between Ohio State and Penn State. ' ' '