Penn State Football players celebrate during win over Nebraska, the Nittany Lions' second win under interim head coach Terry Smith during a late-season push for bowl eligibility.(Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images)
Two weeks ago, Penn State Football fans were not even thinking about the possibility of a bowl game as Penn State was riding a six game losing streak and had yet to win a conference game. However, after picking up his first win as an interim head coach against Michigan State, and following it up by throttling Nebraska, Penn State interim head coach Terry Smith has the Nittany Lions on a winning streak and on the verge of bowl eligibility.
At Monday’s press conference, Smith talked through his thoughts on a bowl game and what it would mean for the Penn State team. Here is what he had to say on the subject.
“This Is Like a Playoff Game… We’re Playing to Get That Extra Game” Terry Smith Sounds off on Penn State’s Bowl Chances
Terry Smith noted that Penn State was treating every week like a playoff game, because Penn State needed to win the last three games of the regular season to get to bowl eligibility.
“This is like a playoff game,” Smith told reporters. “We’re playing to get that extra game.” Smith continued that getting to a bowl “means everything to us in the building.”
On Monday, Terry Smith also discussed his expectations for potential opt outs if Penn State were to become bowl eligible against Rutgers this weekend.
Smith noted that he expects that most of Penn State’s players would choose to play in the thirteenth game if Penn State were invited to play in a bowl game. “I would anticipate our guys are going to play,” Smith commented Monday.
“I Would Anticipate Our Guys Are Going to Play,” Terry Smith Weighs in on Potential Opt Outs
While the season has not gone as players or fans have expected, Smith has kept the locker room together and fighting for the chance to continue to play as a team this season.
Smith did note that there could be a few one-off opt outs in a potential bowl game, but that would be handled on a case by case basis by the player.
“I’m sure there may be a one-off or a two-off,” Smith said. “Here or there, with some type of circumstance. We’ll just work through that.”
For Penn State to even have a chance to worry about potential opt outs or who will play in a bowl game, Penn State will need to handle business against Rutgers Saturday.
The Nittany Lions are a 13.5 point favorite against the Scarlet Knights in Piscataway this Saturday.
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