Penn State could end up in Rose Bowl thanks to selection process 'caveat'; Abdul Carter recognized: Newsstand
Penn State news, notes, and updates for Nov. 28 include a new bowl projection wrinkle, plus praise for Abdul Carter and more.
It’s time to dive into Monday’s top tweets and headlines about the Lions and college athletics.
Penn State tweets of the day
We start with praise for Penn State freshman linebacker Abdul Carter. After another terrific performance that included seven tackles (three for loss) and two sacks in a 35-16 Lions win over Michigan State, the former four-star recruit was picked as one of On3’s true freshmen standouts for Week 13.
In other news, most bowl projections now favor Penn State to end up in the Cotton Bowl. However, as Mark Wogenrich of SI notes, a ‘caveat’ in the New Year’s Six bowl selection process could end up sending the Lions to Pasadena, Calif., and the Rose Bowl even if Ohio State does not make the College Football Playoff. A swap with the Orange Bowl would be the reason why.
“The Rose Bowl states that, if a conference champ makes the playoff, it “traditionally” would select the next-highest ranked conference team,” Wogenrich writes. “This season represents a fine opportunity to break tradition. Ohio State likely will be the highest-ranked Big Ten or SEC team, making it eligible for selection to the Orange Bowl. It has played in the Rose Bowl twice since 2018, including last year against Utah, which faces USC in the Pac-12 title game.
“Meanwhile, the Buckeyes last played in the Orange Bowl in the 2013 season. And Penn State can offer the Rose Bowl an energized fan base on a four-game win streak. The Lions haven’t been there since the 2016 season. The swap makes sense as a break from that tradition.”
Headlines of the day
Penn State Looks Toward the Future After a Big Finish: Wogenrich, SI
Lions safety Ji’Ayir Brown accepts Senior Bowl invitation: Fitz, BWI
PSU Back Inside Top 10 of Latest AP Top 25: Jones, Statecollege.com
Redshirt report: Which Lions burned a year of eligibility during the 2022 regular season?: Pickel, BWI
Penn State football’s 2022 season is 1 of James Franklin’s best coaching jobs: Ralph, Daily Collegian
Clifford, receivers spark fourth quarter Penn State magic: Film Study: Carr, BWI
Penn State’s early December storylines: possible player movement, 2023 recruiting, more: Flounders, PennLive
Quote of the day
“I’m proud of him. He’s gotten better every single week. He’s got a ton of natural physical ability that he’s getting more and more confident within the scheme which not only is helping our defense play better, but it’s also putting him in position to make more and more plays.”
–PSU coach James Franklin on Lions linebacker Abdul Carter.
