Penn State bowl projections: Nittany Lions fall in Big Ten pecking order after 3rd straight loss

STATE COLLEGE — Penn State has remained one win away from bowl eligibility for the past four weeks, but with three straight losses and a bye week mixed in, the Nittany Lions have been unable to punch their ticket to college football’s postseason.

But there are four more chances to gain bowl eligibility, beginning this week at Maryland — the Nittany Lions opened as double-digit favorites over the Terps — and it would be a shock if Penn State didn’t find its way to a bowl.

Which bowl that is, though, remains up in the air. A couple weeks ago, Penn State looked destined for the Rose Bowl or another New Year’s Day game. With their three straight losses, though, the Nittany Lions have fallen a bit in the pecking order, which makes for an interesting postseason picture.

Here’s a roundup of where Penn State is projected to go this postseason.

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

Analysis: A couple weeks ago, Penn State and Arkansas were projected to meet in the Outback Bowl or the Citrus Bowl. Both teams, though, have suffered some losses, and thus, Nashville might be the destination. The Nittany Lions and Razorbacks have never met.

Mark Schlabach, ESPN: Penn State vs. LSU in the TransPerfect Music City Bowl (Dec. 30 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.)

Analysis: Penn State and LSU last met in the Capital One Bowl after the 2009 season with the Nittany Lions scoring a 19-17 win over the Tigers. LSU has fallen mightily since its national championship run two years ago, and the Tigers will be a team in transition this postseason.

Stewart Mandel, The Athletic: Penn State vs. Kentucky in the Outback Bowl (Jan. 1 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla.)

Analysis: Mandel’s projection has Ohio State in the College Football Playoff and both Michigan and Michigan State earning berths to New Year’s Six games, which bumps up Penn State’s prospects. This game, of course, would be a reunion with Will Levis, who quarterbacks Kentucky. The Nittany Lions and Wildcats also met in the Citrus Bowl after the 2018 season. Kentucky won that game, 27-24.

Brett McMurphy, Action Network: Penn State vs. Oregon State in the Las Vegas Bowl (Dec. 30 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev.)

Analysis: Vegas in late December sounds pretty good, especially in the chance to play in the Raiders’ sparkling new stadium. Oregon State is having a nice season at 5-3. The Beavers and Nittany Lions have met once before with Penn State scoring a 45-14 win at Beaver Stadium in 2008.

Jerry Palm, CBS Sports: Penn State vs. Virginia Tech in the Pinstripe Bowl (Dec. 29 at Yankee Stadium in New York)

Analysis: Virginia Tech has been thoroughly average this season at 4-4, and coach Justin Fuente has not been able to have his success at Memphis translate over to Blacksburg. The Hokies could be in for some changes in the coming months, too. These two programs have never met, but Penn State did win its only appearance in the Pinstripe Bowl in 2014 over Boston College, 31-30, in overtime.

Brad Crawford, 247Sports: Penn State vs. Arizona State in the Las Vegas Bowl (Dec. 30 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev.)

Analysis: This would be a unique matchup just from an aesthetic perspective. The Nittany Lions and Sun Devils have met once before with Penn State beating Arizona State, 42-30, in the 1977 Fiesta Bowl. Matt Millen earned player of the game honors that day.

CollegeFootballNews.com: Penn State vs. Ole Miss in the Outback Bowl (Jan. 1 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla.)

Analysis: This game would be a fun way to see how Penn State’s athletes stack up against a second-tier SEC program in Ole Miss. Indiana was exposed by Ole Miss last season, and Penn State would have a good idea of where it stacks up after this game. Plus, the Nittany Lions defense against the Rebels offense could be quite fun.