Penn State’s Playoff Hopes Dwindle After Loss to Oregon

Penn State University, PA — Following a double-overtime defeat against Oregon, the Penn State Nittany Lions have fallen to the No. 12 spot in the latest College Football Playoff (CFP) projections. This loss leaves them in a precarious position, increasing pressure to secure a victory against Ohio State on November 1.

The current playoff landscape categorizes teams into various groups, with those comfortably in, on the cusp, working to improve, and those currently out. Penn State’s drop in ranking can be attributed to their lack of significant wins against Power 4 opponents and struggles on offensive execution.

LSU also saw a decline in projections after losing to Ole Miss, where they struggled on both offense and defense. The Tigers now hold a mere 2.9% chance to reach the SEC championship game. Meanwhile, Vanderbilt has emerged as a surprising competitor, starting the season at 5-0 and aiming for big wins against ranked opponents ahead.

Penn State’s current standing indicates a serious risk of being replaced by other conference champions unless they can turn their fortunes around with wins against both Ohio State and Indiana. ESPN’s Football Power Index reveals their chances of victory in these upcoming matchups are currently under 50%.

Georgia Tech‘s recent overtime win against Wake Forest positions them with a solid 22% chance to make the ACC title game, while Texas Tech remains undefeated and leads the Big 12, showing great potential for a playoff spot. In contrast, Notre Dame seeks to improve their record and secure a strong win over Boise State.

As the college football season continues, teams are eager to enhance their résumés each week in pursuit of playoff opportunities. Every game becomes pivotal as institutions vie for postseason glory.