How Penn State Football climbs back into College Football Playoff

Who can help Penn State Football?

Iowa

Believe it or not, Penn State Football fans should be rooting for the Hawkeyes for the time being. Not only does a loss to an undefeated Iowa team not look as bad as to an Iowa team with just one or two losses, but if Iowa wins out and wins the Big Ten West, the Nittany Lions will get their rematch, assuming they too take care of business.

A win in a rematch in the Big Ten Championship game all but erases the loss to Iowa off the board. Plus, that hypothetical win over a 12-0 Hawkeye team that will be ranked within the top-three looks great for the playoff committee. (Games to watch; Minnesota at Iowa on November 13th, Iowa at Nebraska on November 26th)

Georgia

Alabama was upset by Texas A&M last week, but the Tide will likely still go on to win the SEC West and (probably) face Georgia in the SEC championship. If Georgia beats Alabama, that would be their second loss and would virtually eliminate the Tide from playoff contention.

If the Tide are able to knock off the Dawgs, there is a strong chance that both teams then get into the playoff, which leaves just 2 more spots for Penn State to get in.

Also, if any ranked team beats Georgia, such as currently undefeated Kentucky this weekend as an example, that would propel that team also into the playoff conversation and get in the Nittany Lions’ way. So, just root for Georgia to take care of everyone in the SEC, and they will be the only team from that conference in the playoff. (Games to watch; #11 Kentucky at Georgia on October 16th, Georgia vs #20 Florida on October 30th, and the SEC Championship game on December 4th)

Anyone who plays Cincinnati

Being that they are not in a Power 5 conference, Cincinnati will already have a tough time getting into the playoff, even if they go undefeated. A single loss, regardless of who it is against, or how bad it is, would erase the Bearcats’ playoff chances. (Games to watch; UCF at Cincinnati on October 16th, #23 SMU at Cincinnati on November 20th)

Anyone who plays Oklahoma or Oklahoma State

No. 4 Oklahoma and No. 12 Oklahoma State are both currently undefeated, and are the two highest ranked teams in the Big 12. In that conference, there is a good chance that a single loss would eliminate them from playoff contention, unless absolute chaos ensues. (Games to watch; Oklahoma at Baylor on November 13th, Oklahoma State at #25 Texas on October 16th, Oklahoma at Oklahoma State on November 27th, and the Big 12 Championship Game on December 4th)

Anyone who plays Oregon

The Ducks already have one loss on the season, and may be the Pac-12’s only hope at the playoff this season. One more loss for Oregon would virtually eliminate that conference from the discussion. (Games to watch; Oregon at UCLA on October 23rd, Oregon State at Oregon on November 27th, and the Pac-12 championship game on December 3rd)

Auburn

It’s quite simple, the more Auburn wins, the better Penn State’s win over them looks. (Games to watch; Auburn at No. 17 Arkansas on October 16th, No. 13 Ole Miss at Auburn on October 30th, Auburn at No. 21 Texas A&M on November 6th, and No. 5 Alabama at Auburn on November 27th)