5 Teams who can still make College Football Playoff after Week 12 Rankings
By Jordan Luth
No. 8 Penn State (8-2)
There are currently two teams from the Big Ten East division ranked higher than the Penn State Nittany Lions in the College Football Playoff rankings, yet the Nittany Lions are tied for first place in the Big Ten East. Penn State has come a long way since their huge upset win over Ohio State and has some how put itself in the playoff picture.
They may have two losses, but the stars are beginning to align for Penn State. Ohio State obviously benefited from Michigan’s loss, but Penn State benefited from the Wolverines loss even more. They are now on top of the Big Ten and are in a great position to go to the Big Ten championship game. The Nittany Lions are tied with Michigan and Ohio State at the top of the Big Ten East and own the tiebreaker over Ohio State. Penn State will need some help from the Buckeyes in the near future though, which is very likely.
If Penn State wins out and Ohio State beats Michigan in the last week of the regular season, then the Nittany Lions will be on their way to Indianapolis for the Big Ten Championship game.
If Michigan were to win against Indiana this week, and then beat Ohio State, then Michigan will go to the Big Ten championship game and Penn State’s playoff hopes would be dead. With the Michigan vs. Ohio State being played in Columbus, it is very likely that Ohio State will win.
Penn State has set itself up to sneak into the College Football Playoff as the Nittany Lions are now eight in the CFP rankings, right on the edge.