Penn State football bowl projections: Where are the Lions slotted before Week 12?
Penn State is bowl eligible but is sliding down the Big Ten postseason pecking order after another loss.
The Nittany Lions fell to 6-4 following Saturday’s 21-17 setback at home against Michigan. The outcome of their final two games, which feature a home date with Rutgers and a visit to Michigan State, will ultimately decide where head coach James Franklin’s team goes bowling.
“You can pick out four to six plays each game and, for most teams and most people, that’s going to determine your success,” Franklin said.
“We will find a way to make those six plays per game, especially the way we’re playing on defense. You have a chance to get wins against really good teams, and we have not made those six plays a game consistently enough in the season.”
It’s time for a closer look at where the national experts have the Nittany Lions going prior to Week 12
Expert bowl projections for Penn State
Mike Huguenin of On3: Outback Bowl vs. Kentucky
Jerry Palm of CBS Sports: Music City Bowl vs. Arkansas
College Football News Staff: Pinstripe Bowl vs. Virginia
Kyle Bonagua of ESPN: Music City Bowl vs. Arkansas
Mark Schlabach of ESPN: Pinstripe Bowl vs. Virginia
Action Network: Outback Bowl vs. Kentucky
Saturday Tradition: Las Vegas Bowl against Oregon State
Athlon Sports: Las Vegas Bowl vs. Arizona State
BWI’s take
It has been a long time since experts were this undecided about where Penn State could play in the postseason with two games to go in the regular season.
Over the last handful of seasons, a consensus has usually been reached by now. Long-time readers of these projections know that there is always an outlier or two every year. But, for the most part, everyone agrees by mid-November.
That is not the case this year. We can only assume that a pretty crazy Big Ten that is still undecided is the reason why.
If forced to book travel today (Caution: DO NOT), my gut says Nashville is the most likely destination. I see a three-game losing streak and 6-6 finish as the only way for Penn State to end up in the Pinstripe Bowl. A 7-5 team with a win over Rutgers and loss to Michigan State would be either Music City or Las Vegas Bowl bound. I side with the latter at this point in time. If Penn State wins out, then the Outback Bowl is all but a guarantee. I just don’t see that being the case.
Penn State meets the Scarlet Knights at Noon on Saturday. Big Ten Network will televise the contest.
