At the midpoint of the season, Penn State in-line to host playoff game

UNIVERSITY PARK (Nittany Nation) At 6-0, Penn State moved up to no. 3 in this week’s AP Top-25, their highest ranking since 2017.

The Nittany Lions are in their second bye week and at the mid-point of their regular season Penn State would be seeded fifth in the College Football Playoffs.

This year, the CFP expands to 12 teams. The top five ranked conference champions earn automatic bids, while the top four of those earn a first round bye. Teams 5-12 play at campus sites. The quarterfinal round and semifinals will represent the New Year’s Six Bowl Games.

Current CFP Projections (* denotes automatic qualifier)
1. Texas*
2. Oregon*
3. Miami*
4. Iowa State*
5. Penn State
6. Ohio State
7. Georgia
8. Alabama
9. LSU
10. Clemson
11. Tennessee
12. Boise State*

Based on this week’s latest rankings, Penn State would host Boise State at Beaver Stadium in a game that could feature Heisman front runner Ashton Jeanty. The Broncos would earn an automatic qualifier as the fifth highest ranked conference champion.

The likeliness of this exact outcome is small, and both teams have varying paths. Penn State has a fair amount of wiggle room, at 6-0 with key road wins over WVU and USC, the Nittany Lions should be favored in five of their final six games. The lone exception being against Ohio State.

Boise State is currently the leader in the Mountain West. The Broncos will have to both win their conference and hold off potential group of five risers likes Army, Navy and Liberty, all of whom are still undefeated.

ESPN’s playoff predictor favors both teams getting into the playoffs, giving Penn State a 75-percent chance to get in, the fourth highest percentage.

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