Bowl Projections: One Analyst Has Penn State Missing Playoff

There will be a lot of bowl projections between now and early December, but it’s never too early for Penn State fans to look.

Here is where some major outlets have PSU playing through three weeks of the season.

PENN STATE BOWL PROJECTIONS: THE ACTION NETWORK

The Action Network has PSU making the College Football Playoff in a Peach Bowl rematch against Ole Miss. In this projection, PSU is the No. 10 seed, which means the game would have to be played in Oxford, not Happy Valley. PSU played Ole Miss in Atlanta last season, and it didn’t go well.

PSU ended the 2023 season with a whimper, falling to Ole Miss, 38-25, in the 2023 Peach Bowl.

Without starting cornerbacks Kalen King and Johnny Dixon, Ole Miss (11-2) QB Jaxson Dart carved up PSU (10-3) for 379 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions on 25-for-40 passing.

This season, Dart is still there, and Ole Miss again figures to be a force.

Projection: No. 10 PSU at No. 7 Ole Miss, College Football Playoff

PENN STATE BOWL PROJECTIONS: ATHLON SPORTS

This projection also has PSU as a 10-seed facing an SEC squad. But this opponent would be much more intriguing.

PSU hasn’t played Alabama since 2011 in what turned out to be one of legendary coach Joe Paterno’s last home games.

Saban and Alabama took care of PSU that afternoon, 27-11. Alabama leads the all-time series with Penn State 10-5, including one in Penn State’s 1982 national championship season.

It wouldn’t quite have the same feel as it would have with Nick Saban on the sidelines but a PSU-Alabama matchup would excite a lot of people.

Projection: No. 10 PSU at No. 7 Alabama 

CBS SPORTS

In the second-most underwhelming projection on this list, PSU goes to Ames, Iowa as a No. 11 seed taking on No. 6 Iowa State. Although it would be a novelty— PSU and Iowa State have never played each other— most PSU fans would rather see another matchup.

Projection: No. 11 Penn State at No. 6 Iowa State

ESPN

Mark Schlabach has Penn State playing Ole Miss, similar to the Action Network.

Kyle Bongura has Penn State out of the playoff picture entirely.

Bongura projects Penn State to play Missouri in the Cheez-it Bowl, which would be a disappointment for both fan bases. Penn State is No. 10 in the AP Poll, Missouri is No. 6.