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Penn State football bowl projections: Where are the Lions slotted before Week 11?

Greg Pickelby:Greg Pickel•11/09/21•

GregPickel

Penn State Nittany Lion mascot
The Penn State Nittany Lion leads the team onto the field prior to a win at Maryland. Steve Manuel/BWI

Penn State secured bowl eligibility last Saturday when it beat the Maryland Terrapins 31-14 at Capital One Field.

Where could the Nittany Lions end up in the postseason?

Head coach James Franklin’s team is 6-3 heading into Saturday’s showdown with Michigan. The Wolverines, Rutgers, and Michigan State round out the 2021 Penn State regular season schedule, and the outcome of those contests will play a big role in where the team ultimately ends up.

It’s time for a closer look at where the national experts have the Nittany Lions going prior to Week 11.

Expert bowl projections for Penn State

Mike Huguenin of On3: Pinstripe Bowl vs. Virginia

Stewart Mandel of The Athletic: Outback Bowl vs. Kentucky

Jerry Palm of CBS Sports: Music City Bowl vs. Arkansas

College Football News Staff: Outback Bowl vs. Auburn

Kyle Bonagua of ESPN: Music City Bowl vs. Arkansas

Mark Schlabach of ESPN: Pinstripe Bowl vs. Virginia

Action Network: Las Vegas Bowl vs. UCLA

Saturday Tradition: Music City Bowl vs. Tennessee

Athlon Sports: Outback Bowl vs. Kentucky

Where will Penn State end up in the postseason? There are currently numerous options. Photo Credit: BWI/Steve Manuel

BWI’s take

Let’s start with the elephant in the room: Yes, a Penn State path to the Rose Bowl does exist.

If the Nittany Lions win out, they will have bullied their way to the top of the Big Ten East pecking order behind Ohio State, assuming the Buckeyes do, as well.

Of course, the Big Ten West winner will have a case to head to Pasadena instead if OSU wins the conference and lands in the College Football Playoff. But, a 9-3 Penn State side would have a compelling argument to be there, instead.

With that out of the way, the Lions ending up somewhere else still feels more likely. If they finish 8-4, the Outback Bowl feels like a pretty good guarantee. The Music City Bowl could be, too, but it doesn’t feel as likely. If Penn State would fall to 7-5, however, then any of the aforementioned options would be in play.

Our pick this week is the Outback Bowl opposite Kentucky.

Penn State-Michigan is set for Noon this Saturday at Beaver Stadium. ABC will televise the contest.

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