Penn State is 0-5 with only four games remaining, so it cannot finish with a winning record. That won’t matter this year, however, when it comes to being bowl eligible.
All teams are bowl eligible this year, no matter what their record. That means, theoretically, even a team that goes winless could conceivably be picked for a bowl game, although that would be so embarrassing for all parties that it would not happen.
If the Nittany Lions could win three games the rest of the way, that would leave them at 3-6 and could put them in position to be chosen for a bowl game.
Again, theoretically.
And there are three potential wins left on the schedule. Even if the Lions lose at Michigan on Saturday, they could finish up with wins over Rutgers, Michigan State and whatever team they play from the Big Ten West in week nine.
In the unlikely event that Penn State were to win out and finish 4-5, a strong case could be made for the Lions to accept a bowl invitation.
But what if PSU finishes 3-6? If there would be some bowl out there that would want the Lions, do you think they should accept the bid?
Certainly, there would be advantages to doing so. The Lions would have gained some confidence and started playing better if they can get to three wins, so playing in a bowl game would give the team a chance to finish on a high note with another win.
There also would be the extra bowl practices, which are always good for a team, especially the younger players.
And hey, what if it meant the possibility of playing Pitt, if such a matchup could be worked out? Who wouldn’t want to see that?
The flip side, though, is that this year has been crazy enough already, so why bother extending it another 3-4 weeks with a bowl game? The PSU players already have gone through a bunch of bizarre circumstances because of the coronavirus, and sticking around campus another 3-4 weeks just to play in one game does not sound like a good idea.
All of this probably will be a moot point because it’s highly doubtful Penn State will receive a bowl invite. There were 44 bowl games scheduled at the beginning of the season, but eight already have been canceled, the latest being the Pinstripe Bowl just today.
Of the remaining 36 bowls, look for several more to be canceled. Bowls exist for two reasons: so fans can travel and spend money in the destination cities, and also TV revenue. With no fans going to the games, many of these bowl operations are deciding it’s just not worth it to hold their games.
I asked fans on Twitter if they think Penn State should accept a bowl bid if offered. These are some of the responses, starting with the great idea about playing Pitt.
Come on, Pitt-Penn State bowl game.
— Alan Saunders (@ASaunders_PGH) November 25, 2020
Yeah!!!!!
I’m down for this. Would make perfect sense for some nothing bowl game. https://t.co/d7Du5z7Igr— Cory Giger (@CoryGiger) November 25, 2020
Of course they should. This isn't the 'College Basketball Classic', or whatever it is called. Additional practice/development. Momentum. Reward after a sucky season. There are a ton of positives. Who knows if AD would want them to based on financials?
— Russ McDaid (@RussMcDaid) November 25, 2020
Yes, if they win the rest of their games.
— Mean Joe Steele (@MeanJoeSteele) November 25, 2020
The risks outweigh the benefits of extra practice. COVID and injuries are the biggest worries. Further embarrassment in front of recruits is another. Just end this mess.
— MadCityMike 😷 (@MikeAdamsWI) November 25, 2020
Take the extra practices for these young guys absolutely
— J. Crum (@Psu7893) November 25, 2020
I’m just looking forward to the worst of the East worst of the west rematch… when Nebraska gets only its second win of the season…against us again.
— Penn State Unrivaled (@unrivaled_psu) November 25, 2020
A bowl game means extra practices. That is a opportunity to improve for 2021. No brainer!
— Eddie Edsel Walker (@EdselWalker) November 25, 2020
Yes, and only for the 15 additional practices. That’s huge for player development and the 2021 season.
— Kyle Lucas (@KLucas26) November 25, 2020
They need the practice- go to ANY bowl – we are AT Wisconsin to open season 2021
— Michael Marino (@mikeydan80) November 25, 2020
Bowl games mean more practice ie time. They lost enough practice time due to the pandemic. I doesn’t hurt to get a few extra weeks of work in the#is year.
— Tom McIntyre (@tompsumac) November 25, 2020
How does repeating the same crap they've been doing all year help???
— MadCityMike 😷 (@MikeAdamsWI) November 25, 2020
Normally I would say the added practices are worth the relative shame of a terrible bowl game, but that's under normal conditions when the team would be 6-6, not 1-8 and there would be fewer practices this year since the layoff before the bowl will be shorter.
— Amish Sports Guy (@amishsportsguy) November 25, 2020