Penn State bowl projections: New York-bound after recent skid?

STATE COLLEGE — Penn State fell out of the national rankings after last weekend’s loss to Michigan marked its fourth defeat in five games, and the Nittany Lions also have tumbled down the Big Ten’s bowl pecking order.

While a trip to Florida — or even California when the Rose Bowl seemed in play — once appeared to be almost certain, Penn State might not end up traveling too far from home for the postseason after all.

Here’s a roundup of some of the bowl projections after the latest weekend of college football action.

Mark Schlabach, ESPN: vs. Virginia in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl (Dec. 29 at Yankee Stadium in New York, N.Y.)

Analysis: The Bronx during the last week of December isn’t the most appetizing destination. But Virginia could be an intriguing opponent. The Cavaliers are 6-4 and have played a handful of entertaining games with a wide-open offense. The big concern for Virginia is a rib injury for quarterback Brennan Armstrong that sidelined him for a loss to Notre Dame over the weekend.

Kyle Bonagura, ESPN: vs. Arkansas in the TransPerfect Music City Bowl (Dec. 30 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.)

Analysis: Arkansas returned to the Associated Press Top 25 this week after it downed rival LSU, 16-13, over the weekend. The 7-3 Razorbacks have rebounded from a three-game losing streak with a three-game winning streak to find their footing under coach Sam Pittman. Penn State and Arkansas never have met.

Jerry Palm, CBS Sports: vs. Arkansas in the TransPerfect Music City Bowl (Dec. 30 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.)

Analysis: It’s difficult to forecast which draft-eligible players will decide to play in the postseason, but Arkansas wide receiver Treylon Burks could be a fun matchup for the Penn State secondary. Burks has 52 catches for 817 yards (15.7 yards per catch) and eight touchdowns this season.

Brett McMurphy, Action Network: vs. Kentucky in the Outback Bowl (Jan. 1 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla.)

Analysis: It’s interesting to see Penn State still in the mix for this game, given its recent struggles. But if someone wants to keep the dream of a Will Levis-led Kentucky team facing the Nittany Lions defense alive, that’s their right. This is the most prestigious remaining bowl game the Lions are projected to make.

Brad Crawford, 247Sports: vs. Virginia in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl (Dec. 29 at Yankee Stadium in New York, N.Y.)

Analysis: Armstrong, the Virginia quarterback, had thrown for 3,557 yards and 27 touchdowns to eight interceptions in nine games before he suffered his rib injury in a shootout loss at BYU. Dontayvion Wicks leads the Cavaliers with 44 catches for 1,004 yards and nine touchdowns.

Steve Lassan, Athlon Sports: vs. Arizona State in the Las Vegas Bowl (Dec. 30 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev.)

Analysis: Las Vegas in December sounds a little nicer than New York in December, right? The 7-3 Sun Devils have been up and down this season, like most Pac-12 teams, but then again, so have the Nittany Lions. The only previous meeting between these teams came in the 1977 Fiesta Bowl with Penn State scoring a 42-30 victory on Christmas Day.

CollegeFootballNews.com: vs. Virginia in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl (Dec. 29 at Yankee Stadium in New York, N.Y.)

Analysis: Penn State owns a 5-3 advantage over Virginia all-time, though the Cavaliers have won three of the past four meetings, including a 17-16 win in Charlottesville, Va., in 2012. The Nittany Lions won their previous trip to the Pinstripe Bowl, 31-30, over Boston College in 2014.