Would Penn State go to a bowl game if it wins six or more games? Here's what Terry Smith said on Monday

Penn State is still three wins away from securing bowl eligibility with four games to go. The Nittany Lions are a two-touchdown underdog for Saturday’s contest with Indiana. However, according to ESPN’s Football Power Index, interim head coach Terry Smith’s team will be favored at Michigan State and Rutgers and at home against Nebraska later this month. If the Lions win all three of those games (and assuming they lose to the Hoosiers), they would finish the year at 6-6 and thus be eligible to go to the postseason. Asked Monday if he thought his team would want to go to a bowl game if it earns the right to play in one, Smith answered in the affirmative.

“We haven’t [discussed it] as a team, but my mindset is, we’re trying to win this week, and as we continue to win, why wouldn’t we want to play football? This is what we signed up to do,” Smith said. “We want to take advantage of every opportunity that’s in front of us.

“We clearly would talk with the players as well. And my feeling, based on how they’re performing right now, if we win enough games to get to bowl eligibility, I think they would play because they haven’t laid down yet.”

Penn State enters the second weekend of November at 3-5. The aforementioned FPI gives the Lions less than a 50 percent chance of finishing with six wins (46.5 percent, to be exact). The Spartans and Scarlet Knights both rank outside of the FPI’s top 60. The Cornhuskers are No. 32. But, they will move forward this fall without starting quarterback Dylan Raiola, who is now out for the season due to injury.

It’s Penn State-Indiana week: Game time, spread, channel, storylines, and more

“I’m super proud of the leadership,” Smith said. “These guys could have packed it in weeks ago. They could have laid down and quit. They refused to do that.

“Obviously, we’re going through some tough times right now. But doesn’t change our character.”

Penn State-Indiana is at Noon ET on Saturday. FOX will televise the contest. BetMGM calls the Hoosiers a 14-point favorite as of Monday afternoon.

“We just try to stay grounded, keep our feet on the ground, and be professionals,” Smith said. “The young men in the locker room, they deserve that. They’re showing up to work every single day. So, us as coaches and staff, we have to give our 110 percent for these guys, and that’s what we’re going to continue to do, and just trying to beat Indiana this week.”