Penn State Football Bowl Projections Heading Into Ohio State Game

Penn State’s pending meeting against Ohio State could drastically change the Nittany Lions’ postseason picture, but for now a six-win and bowl eligible Penn State team can still enjoy knowing that it will be bowling this season no matter where that is. Until Saturday is said and done projections are somewhat meaningless but in the meanwhile here are a few hypotheticals to chew on.

CBS: Peach Bowl against Alabama

Alabama in the Peach Bowl continues to be a regular in these bowl projections with both programs coming up shy of the playoffs. Alabama hosts Tennessee this weekend and then LSU the following week for two games that could bring this closer to happening or put Alabama back in the playoff picture. This particular group doesn’t seem to be quite the world beaters of year’s past but never count out Nick Saban. Like all of these projections, the next few weeks will determine if Penn State and Alabama are headed in the same direction.

Action Network and 247 Network: Orange Bowl against North Carolina

North Carolina might not ever be the sexy option among this list but the Tar Heels are having themselves a season. A 41-31 win over Miami was an impressive showing but North Carolina won’t have another prove-it game until they play Duke later in the year. Clemson is always a challenge but the Tigers are struggling this year compared to usual. Penn State can’t laugh at a Top 10 opponent and North Carolina has proven its worth all year long.

ESPN: Fiesta Bowl against Oregon

The Fiesta Bowl is a good time. Oregon won’t travel to Penn State until 2025 and the Nittany Lions won’t make a return trip until 2027 so while this matchup is going to be more normal moving forward, it isn’t right around the corner. Can’t turn down a fun Oregon team going up against this Penn State defense. This game may have lost its uniqueness due to Big Ten expansion but it’s not a dull game or site.

Bleacher Report: Cotton Bowl against Oklahoma

The Cotton Bowl got overlooked by a lot of Penn State fans last time the Nittany Lions made the trip but Oklahoma might bring more of them out than Memphis did. Dallas isn’t the sexiest place on the list to have a bowl game and the Sooners should have the fan traveling advantage here. That being said if you’re going for unique an interesting and not a Big Ten preview, this is the game for you. The Sooners don’t have a game left this year against a ranked team but Oklahoma State, TCU and Kansas might all make things interesting.