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Penn State Football: 3 possible 2019 bowl game scenarios

By Shane Lunnen

STATE COLLEGE, PA - NOVEMBER 30: Tyler Rudolph #21 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates with teammates after recovering a kick against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the second half of the game at Beaver Stadium on November 30, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - NOVEMBER 30: Tyler Rudolph #21 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates with teammates after recovering a kick against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the second half of the game at Beaver Stadium on November 30, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Tournament of Roses – Pool/Getty Images)
(Photo by Tournament of Roses – Pool/Getty Images) /

1. Rose Bowl

Pasadena is the destination most Penn State fans are hoping for. “The Granddaddy of Them All” would be a fitting conclusion for Penn State’s season.

Penn State got a little bit closer to the Rose Bowl when Wisconsin walloped Minnesota to win the Big Ten West. While the Gophers and Lions are both 10-2 and the Gophers have a head to head victory over the Lions, Penn State will probably finish with a higher ranking than Minnesota due to a better resume per the CFP committee.

Now Penn State has to hope Ohio State crushes Wisconsin in the Big Ten title game. If that happens, Penn State should pack their bags for Pasadena. Of course if Wisconsin wins, they’ll head to the Rose but even if it is close, they may finish ahead of the Lions in the CFP rankings and would still head to Pasadena.

Penn State does not have a great record in the Rose Bowl, 1-3 all time. Their first bowl appearance ever was in the 1923 Rose Bowl, a 14-3 loss to USC. The Lions also lost to the Trojans in the 2009 and 2017 Rose Bowls. The good news for Nittany Nation is if they end up in Pasadena this year, USC will not be waiting for them.

Next. College Football Playoff Projected Top 25, Week 15. dark

Penn State’s lone win in the Rose Bowl occurred at the end of their second season in the Big Ten. The Lions finished 12-0 after a 38-20 victory over Oregon. The Ducks or the Utah Utes will be the Pac-12 representative this season. Maybe this year Penn State will be able to smell the roses and raise the Rose Bowl trophy.

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