Latest bowl projections have Nittany Lions all over

Penn State just one game to play before finding out its bowl fate. Sounds easy, right?

Not so much.

Projections for the Nittany Lions’ postseason appearance remain scattered, albeit with a few consistent themes.

Right now most analysts have Michigan winning out, winning the Big Ten and securing a spot in the College Football Playoff. That would mean a win over Ohio State this weekend, which would still result in a Rose Bowl berth for the Buckeyes. The Rose Bowl this year will be the classic Big Ten vs. Pac 12 matchup no matter what happens with playoff berths. A Big Ten team will not play in the Sugar Bowl this year.

Beyond that, though, things are a little murky in the Big Ten. Conference bowl tie-ins run:

• Citrus Bowl vs. ACC or SEC (Orlando, Fla.)
• Outback Bowl vs. SEC (Tampa, Fla.)
• San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl vs. Pac-12 (San Diego, Calif.)
• Taxslayer Bowl vs. SEC (Jacksonville, Fla.) OR Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl vs. SEC (Nashville, Tenn.)
• New Era Pinstripe Bowl vs. ACC (New York, NY)
• RedBox Bowl vs. Pac-12 (Santa Clara, Calif.)
• Quick Lane Bowl vs. ACC (Detroit, Mich.)
• SERVPRO First Responder Bowl vs. C-USA (Dallas, Texas)

The Fiesta and Peach Bowls have no direct tie-ins, but the highest-ranked champion from a non-Power 5 conference will automatically get a spot in one of those two games if not selected for the College Football Playoff.