The Athletic still projects Penn State to make a bowl game, with an intriguing matchup against rival Pitt in the Pinstripe Bowl on Dec. 27 at Yankee Stadium. USA Today has the Lions squaring off with Miami (OH) in the GameAbove Sports Bowl on Dec. 26 at Ford Field in Detroit.

Penn State, of course, is unranked in the inaugural CFP rankings after losing its fifth straight game. Still, Indiana coach Curt Cignetti found a ranking to pitch his team in girding against the upset as 13.5-point favorites. Hello, ESPN FPI!

We’re back for another week of coaching news and notes. Other than Matt Rhule, no notable coaches signed extensions and then lost another ranked game and just about everyone remains in play as Pat Kraft tosses out his wide net.

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The contest doesn’t have the sparkle that it did before James Franklin was fired as Penn State’s coach, but the Ohio State football team will look to continue its march to the Big Ten Championship game today when it takes on the Nittany Lions at Ohio Stadium.

Matt Rhule and Curt Cignetti signed extensions. Lane Kiffin will likely attract attention elsewhere. Could the Nittany Lions lure away a CFP contending coach or one who is at his alma mater?

Howard had the longest reception against Ohio State, a 26-yard catch in the fourth quarter. The week prior at Iowa, he also had the team’s longest reception (14 yards). Smith has wanted to get Penn State’s younger receivers involved more but says they are still learning the system.

Ohio State vs. Penn State was expected to be a marquee matchup entering the season. Is it now a trap game for the Buckeyes?

While those numbers were understandably frustrating for Penn State fans and administrators, ESPN College GameDay star Rece Davis warned recently that things could get worse for the Nittany Lions, depending on their hire.