Penn State football has risen from the dead, folks.

After starting a measly 3-6, the Nittany Lions have battled their way back to bowl eligibility, capping off their regular season with a win over Rutgers. While the bowl game matchups are officially announced on Sunday, December 7, many college football experts have already predicted what matchups we can prepare to see.

Pete Fiutak of Yahoo Sports predicts the Nittany Lions traveling to Phoenix, Arizona, to take on Cincinnati in the Rate Bowl on December 26. Penn State hasn’t played the Bearcats since 2005, but leads 8-1 in all-time matchups, including giving Cincinnati its largest loss in program history with an 81-0 beatdown in 1991.

ESPN’s Kyle Bonagura has Penn State playing at Ford Field in Detroit against Western Michigan in the GameAbove Sports Bowl. This would mark the first time Penn State has played in this bowl and the first time the Nittany Lions would match up against Western Michigan in football. The game would take place on December 26.

Bryan Fischer of Sports Illustrated projects the Nittany Lions going back to the Pinstripe Bowl to face off against Louisville. Penn State, of course, last played in the Pinstripe Bowl in 2014, its first bowl game following the sanctions. Penn State holds a 2-0 record over Louisville; their last matchup was in 1997.

The Sporting News’s Bill Bender also sees Penn State traveling to Yankee Stadium to play in the Pinstripe Bowl on December 27. Bender, however, has the Nittany Lions going up against Duke, which is led by former Penn State defensive coordinator Manny Diaz. Diaz was the Nittany Lions’ defensive coordinator for the 2022 and 2023 seasons before he left to take over as head coach for the Blue Devils. This would also be the first meeting between the two teams.

About the Author

Brian Kriley

Brian is a sophomore from State College, PA, majoring in journalism and minoring in sports studies. He serves as an associate editor and is on the wrestling and hockey beats. You can offer him a job or send hate mail at bkriley123@gmail.com

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