The important thing Saturday for Penn State is to beat Illinois.
But some outside games can help PSU, too.
A good example of this took place in Oxford, Mississippi.
Lane Kiffin and No. 6 Ole Miss, which had be heavily favored, fell 20-17. This helps No. 9 Penn State in the rankings— again, as long as it takes care of Illinois— and, again, won’t be the last bit of help PSU receives Saturday. No. 2 Georgia is at No. 4 Alabama, which should assist Penn State no matter who wins.
Since neither Ole Miss or PSU is favored to win their respective conference, there’s a good chance both would be fighting for at-large spot.
PSU, for now, is in a better spot of Ole Miss, and it doesn’t hurt that Ole Miss beat Penn State 38-25 in the Peach Bowl last season. So there’s a small measure of revenge there, too.
PSU went out 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.Â
Tight end Caden Prieskorn dominated Penn State, catching 10 passes for 136 yards and two touchdowns.Â
PSU must still beat No. 19 Illinois as a 17.5-points by favorite. That game is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 on NBC.
Although Ole Miss losing is a positive for Penn State, it’s also a reminder of what can happen.
Ole Miss was favored by exactly the amount PSU is favored by.
PSU has won 27 straight games when favored by a touchdown or more.
