Penn State Football: 3 likely bowl scenarios for Nittany Lions in 2018

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Trace McSorley #9 of the Penn State Nittany Lions holds the championship trophy after beating the Washington Huskies 35-28 in the Playstation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) /

3. Outback Bowl vs. SEC (Jan. 1)

At 9-3, Penn State could end up in Tampa for the Outback Bowl. If somehow the Lions lose to either Rutgers or Maryland, the Outback Bowl almost becomes a lock.

In the Big Ten, the bowl games contracted to the conference submit their team preferences to the conference and the league selects which teams go to which bowls. This is done for all bowls except the Rose Bowl, which is obligated to take the conference champion unless the champion heads to the playoff. In that case, the Rose Bowl selects the next best Big Ten team available.

Michigan could end up in the College Football Playoff which would send Ohio State to the Rose Bowl. Here is where it could get tricky. Penn State would be 9-3 and Northwestern a likely 8-5 team. Another rule is the Big Ten bowls have agreed to at least five different teams in the 2014-2019 contract cycle. In this cycle, only four different teams have appeared in the Outback so far. Northwestern appeared last in 2016 so they would likely head to the Citrus Bowl. Penn State would then likely head to Tampa.

Penn State last appeared in the Outback Bowl in 2011 against Florida. They have four appearances all time, going 3-1 in the bowl.

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