In modern college football, postseason bowl games that fall outside the College Football Playoff often struggle to maintain the same level of prestige they once held.
With the rise of the transfer portal, NIL opportunities, and players preparing for the NFL Draft, bowl participation has increasingly become optional rather than automatic.
Against that backdrop, Penn State interim head coach Terry Smith is taking a firm but measured approach as his team prepares for the Pinstripe Bowl.
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney revealed earlier this week that the Tigers will be without 27 players when they face Penn State Dec. 27 at Yankee Stadium. When Smith met with the media, just over a week out from the game, he was asked about Penn State’s own level of commitment.
“We’re going to match that with 27 missing as well,” Smith said jokingly, drawing laughter on Zoom before providing a more serious update.
“You know, right now, we have four guys that have opted out of the game, and that’s all that’s confirmed right now. We’re practicing with a full allotment so far, and we’ll take it day by day from there.”
Smith’s tone struck a balance between realism and optimism, reflecting the complicated landscape coaches must navigate in today’s game. When asked how he is personally approaching the bowl game, Smith leaned on his roots.
As a former Penn State player, Smith played in an era when head coach Joe Paterno viewed bowl games as rewards for a season well played — an opportunity to compete one final time with teammates rather than an inconvenience.
That philosophy still shapes Smith’s thinking, even as the sport around him has changed.
“Yeah, we’re preparing like any other game,” Smith said. “It’s an opportunity for us to continue to get better. It’s an opportunity for us to finish the 2025 season. We have an opportunity to win four games in a row, and we’re looking forward to it. The guys are excited.”
That excitement, Smith noted, has translated directly to the practice field.
“This past weekend, we practiced Friday and Saturday, and I thought those two practices were two of our best all year since I’ve taken over,” he said.
Smith believes that energy stems from his foundational belief that football should still be fun even in a high-stakes, business-driven era. That mindset, he hopes, will carry over into the bowl game itself.
As preparation continues, however, the backdrop surrounding the Pinstripe Bowl is one of transition.
Penn State officially hired Matt Campbell on December 8 to become the program’s 17th head coach, ushering in a new chapter while Smith continues to guide the team through the postseason. One of the more notable storylines following the hire was the decision to retain Smith, though his exact role under Campbell has yet to be determined.
Smith acknowledged that clarity will come in January. Until then, he is managing a roster and coaching staff in flux.
Former defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, who accepted the same position at Tennessee, will not coach in the bowl game. Cornerback Elliott Washington is no longer associated with the program. Other players and staff members are weighing their futures, creating an ever-shifting dynamic.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Smith has chosen to approach the uncertainty head on.
“It’s kind of a different space, so to speak,” he said. “We have new staff members, current staff members that will stay, current staff members that will go same with the players. So we’re operating in just an unorthodox area. It’s my job to bring it all together.”
Smith said he recently addressed both players and staff with a clear message.
“I had a meeting last week with the staff and the players, separately,” he explained. “And basically, the meeting was: you’re either in or you’re out. The people that are going to show up in New York for the Pinstripe Bowl, we’re going to be prepared and ready to go win the game.”
As players continue to make decisions, Smith said the program will be transparent about who will and will not participate. When asked if there would be a firm deadline for opt-outs, Smith was blunt.
“Yeah, there’s no deadline,” he said. “We live in the world of NIL, the transfer portal, players coming and going. We just cross bridges as they come. We’ll manage it as it is and keep progressing.”
Regardless of who ultimately suits up, Smith emphasized that Penn State will field the best team possible.
“We’re going to put together the best team going forward for the bowl game,” he said. “We’re going to play hard, and we’re going out there to play as good a football game as we possibly can. Our fans will be proud of the effort we put out there.”
Smith’s approach reflects his old-school football values, particularly the belief that players should finish what they start.
“My policy is I want every kid to play to finish the season,” Smith said. “I’m an old-school football guy. The reason we’re all on this call is because Penn State plays football. I want to hold every guy accountable so that we finish the season, and then after the season, we all make the best decision for each individual.”
Those decisions, Smith said, can include entering the transfer portal or pursuing other opportunities but only after the season concludes.
Still, Smith acknowledged one exception. Players who opt out of playing can still be part of the team, provided they remain engaged.
“So if he opts out, they have to accompany the team, they have to participate in practices and be around the program,” Smith said. “If they’re not around the program, then they cannot travel with us.”
In an era defined by change, Terry Smith is leaning on consistency, accountability, and pride determined to make the Pinstripe Bowl matter, no matter the circumstances.
