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

2. Peach Bowl vs. At-Large NY6 Team (Dec. 29)

Penn State currently ranks 14th in the College Football Playoff rankings. For the most part, teams earning a New Year’s Six bowl bid are in the top 12 of the rankings so Penn State needs some help if they win out.

There are plenty of opportunities in the last two weeks of the regular season and championship week for the rankings to change. A three loss Penn State could certainly be in the top 12 by season’s end. There is also some history of three loss teams making a New Year’s Six bowl, with seven teams with three losses earning bids since 2014.

The big thing Penn State has going for is their dedicated fan base. Outside of the playoff, the bowls are there to make money and showcase the top teams in quality head to head match-ups. Penn State fans travel well and would surely show up in droves to any bowl game. A New Year’s Six bowl on the east coast and a short, cheaper flight would do the trick. The Peach Bowl fits the mold and would love to have the Nittany Lions and their fans.

The Fiesta Bowl is another option here, but since the Lions just played in the game last year and have never played in the Peach Bowl, they would be an attractive option to head to Atlanta. A third consecutive New Year’s Six bowl would be an accomplishment for Penn State, something they have not done since 1980 to the 1982 seasons.