What Bowl Game is Penn State Going to? A Breakdown of the Nittany Lions’ Options
The Penn State Nittany Lions, with a 9-3 overall record and a 7-2 mark in the Big Ten, are expecting a strong bowl game contender this year. With several bowl games looming ahead, fans are eager to find out where the team will end up playing the last game of the 2023-2024 season. In this article, we will break down the possibilities, and take a closer look at each of the potential bowl options and how the Nittany Lions match up.
Bowl Eligibility**
To determine which bowl game Penn State will participate in, let’s take a closer look at the team’s schedule. In the 2023-2024 college football season, Penn State is already bowl-eligible by reaching a 6-win regular season threshold. As a result, Penn State has a guaranteed appearance in a postseason bowl game.
| **Rank** | **Record** |
| 1 | Penn State Nittany Lions – 9-3 |
Now, let’s take a look at Penn State’s position in the Big Ten and **their potential bowl positioning**:
Bowl Positioning and Affiliations**
After securing bowl eligibility, Penn State must consider its position within the conference to determine the likelihood of participating in various bowl games. The Nittany Lions currently sit tied for second place in the **Eastern Division**, with the Ohio State Buckeyes at the top. This relatively high position provides a strong boost to the team’s bowl prospects:
| Division | Team Record |
| — | — |
| West | Purdue Boilermakers, Indiana Hoosiers – tied |
| East | Ohio State Buckeyes, Penn State Nittany Lions – tied |
* Note: Records reflect the win/loss outcomes for the 2023-2024 college football season.
Potential Bowl Options and the Match-Up**
With Bowl Game Predictions and Match-up Opportunities
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Penn State, with its consistent bowl performance and strong college football brand, has a range of feasible bowl game options. Here is an updated breakdown of the primary potential bowl games and the anticipated opponent(s):
Bowl Games and Opponent Pairings
- Pittsburgh Bowl (December 15)
**Cincinnati (BCS Ranking: unranked)** vs. TBD or #8 Notre Dame, Wisconsin (BCS Ranking: 13th).
The Pitt Panthers, based on current records, are leading for an appearance in the Pittsburgh bowl. - Nicest Hotels Las Vegas Bowl (December 16)
Texas Christian University (TCU, 7-5) vs. UCLA Bruins, Washington or Purdue. - Music City Bowl (December 19)
**Clemson Tigers (BCS Ranking: unranked)** – opponent from Georgia or South Florida
Clemson’s record still maintains eligibility for the Music City Bowl
Clemson (13) plays with #10.
Further Bowl Options after Regular Season Finale*
Several factors may influence further potential bowl games for Penn State Nittany Lions:
* Any other team with ties could end up in the Poinsettia Bowl (Las Vegas)
* Penn State must confirm and agree to certain arrangements prior to the regular postseason event.