Despite how it might feel for some, Penn State’s season isn’t, in fact, over. The Nittany Lions head down the final stretch of the regular season with plenty of games left to go and plenty of interesting postseason destinations and opponents to be had. Here are a few bowl projections from around the web heading into this weekend’s clash with Indiana.
CBS Sports: Alabama in Peach Bowl
Alabama picked up a big win this weekend over Tennessee to continue its run through the season following an early bump in the road against Texas. Time will tell if the Tide and a strong SEC schedule can vault Alabama back into the playoff picture but for now Nick Saban and company are still on the outside looking in. Penn State facing Alabama in the Peach Bowl wouldn’t be the worst secondary outcome for either programs, but the Nittany Lions will need to put up a stronger showing against Michigan to give anyone a renewed sense of excitement about this team.
Action Network: Ole Miss in Citrus Bowl
Nothing about a game involving Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin would be dull and Ole Miss itself is a pretty fun offense to keep tabs on. This would be a good test for Penn State’s defense and a fun unstoppable force against an immovable object type of game. Playing down in Florida would give Ole Miss the travel advantage, but of the non traditional opponents Penn State has seen in bowl games recently, Ole Miss would be a fun one to tango with.
On3.com: Washington in Peach Bowl
Washington has come down to earth slightly after its dynamic win against Oregon a few weeks ago, but quarterback Michael Penix continues to be one of the most entertaining and talented players in college football this season. While Penn State will become much more familiar with Washington in the coming years, this would be one last crack at Penix, the former Indiana Hoosier whose extended arm beat Penn State in Indiana to open the COVID-impacted 2020 season. Penn State has bigger fish to fry than revenge for that, though.
ESPN: Texas in Cotton Bowl
Quarterback Quinn Ewers is nursing a shoulder injury that isn’t supposed to sideline him for the year but could theoretically result in him sitting out the bowl game. That being said it’s hard to turn down the brand power that Texas brings to the table and the uniqueness of this matchup. Playing in the Cotton Bowl is basically a home game for Texas, but that stadium can hold more than enough Penn State fans too.
ESPN: Oregon in Fiesta Bowl
Another future Big Ten opponent and another challenging team. The Fiesta Bowl is a good time and if Penn State wants to face a team in a neutral site this might be the best chance to do so. Much like Washington, Oregon joining the Big Ten next year changes how exciting this potential matchup is but these two programs going head-to-head isn’t a bad thing for fans.
