CFP Rankings Position Penn State for New Year's 6 Bowl Bid

Penn State returned to the top 10 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings, a strong sign that the Nittany Lions are poised to earn a New Year's 6 bowl invitation. Penn State moved up one spot to No. 10 in the Week 13 edition of the CFP rankings, released five days before Selection Sunday.

Penn State would be the last eligible at-large team if the New Year's 6 bowls were determined today. Which means that the Nittany Lions (10-2) can't afford any key upsets in this weekend's conference championship games to remain in contention. But importantly, Penn State remained ahead of Ole Miss (11) and Oklahoma (12), a pair of 10-2 teams that had at-large potential as well. As long as the Lions hold that position, they should have a New Year's 6 berth locked. Unless... upsets. Here's a glimpse at Penn State's bowl path.

Penn State is eligible for three New Year's 6 bowl games: the Cotton (Dec. 29 in Irving, Texas), the Peach (Dec. 30 in Atlanta) and the Fiesta (Jan. 1 in Glendale, Arizona). The Rose and Sugar host this year's College Football Playoff semifinals, while the Orange has tie-in contracts that remove Penn State from eligibility. The Cotton, Peach and Fiesta bowls will host five at-large teams and the highest-ranked Group of 5 champion. Based on the current rankings, the at-large teams are Oregon, Texas, Alabama, Missouri and Penn State.

However, two teams could play their way into one of those at-large spots by winning their conference title games. Iowa would earn an automatic bid by beating Michigan in the Big Ten championship game. Similarly, Oklahoma State would earn an auto bid with a win over Texas in the Big 12 title game. Penn State's chances for a New Year's 6 berth lower dramatically with an upset in either game. If one happens, the Lions most likely will play Ole Miss in the Jan. 1 Citrus Bowl.

So for Penn State fans, the key games are scheduled for noon ET Saturday (Big 12) and 8 p.m. (Big Ten).

Check out the full #CFBPlayoff Top 25 for games played through Saturday, November 25.

Where does your team rank as we head toward conference championship weekend and Selection Day?

🏈🏆 pic.twitter.com/gq0HfDHwLk
— College Football Playoff (@CFBPlayoff) November 29, 2023

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