Penn State is slated to play Clemson in the Pinstripe Bowl, but the game is threatened by potential player opt-outs following the coaching changes. (Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images)
After starting the season as the preseason No. 2 team in the country, Penn State’s season flipped on its head four weeks in. After a three-game losing streak to start conference play, Penn State athletic director Pat Kraft fired James Franklin and promoted Penn State cornerbacks coach Terry Smith to be the interim head coach.
Nine games into the season, PSU sat at 3-6, and bowl eligibility looked to be slipping away.
However, after Terry Smith led the Nittany Lions to a three-game winning streak to finish the regular season, Penn State officially became bowl eligible.
On Saturday, the bowl destination and opponent for Penn State’s 13th game was reported, the question is, will the Nittany Lions accept?
Bowl Game Slated: Penn State vs. Clemson in the Pinstripe Bowl
Penn State On3 reported Saturday that PSU is slated to play in the Pinstripe Bowl in Yankee Stadium on December 27 at noon.
The Nittany Lions last played in the Pinstripe Bowl in 2014, in James Franklin‘s first season in Happy Valley.
Pittsburgh Sports Now’s Mike Vukovcan reported Saturday that the Nittany Lions’ opponent will be Clemson should the Nittany Lions accept the invite.
A Clash of Chaos: Two Top-5 Teams Who Failed Expectations
Like Penn State, Clemson began the season with a top-five ranking and high expectations.
The Tigers’ season also did not go according to plan, as the Tigers finished the season 7-5.
The Nittany Lions and the Clemson Tigers have only met once in 1987, a 35-10 victory for the Tigers one year removed from Joe Paterno’s second title with the Nittany Lions.
Buy The Newest Penn State Gear From Fanatics | Shop Penn State Merchandise on Amazon
The Crisis: Will Penn State Accept—Or Opt Out Entirely?
Before the Lions became bowl eligible against Rutgers, interim head coach Terry Smith was asked whether he anticipated players opting out for a potential bowl game.
“I would anticipate our guys are going to play.” Smith told reporters, further commenting that there could be “a one-off or a two-off” opt out for the Nittany Lions on a case-by-case basis for players getting ready for the NFL, but Smith noted that the Nittany Lions will “just work through that.”
Whether that has changed after Terry Smith was not selected as the permanent head coach and Matt Campbell was hired remains to be seen.
This week, linebacker Tony Rojas posted a now-deleted post on X saying that 90 percent of the players could opt to leave if Terry Smith was not selected as the next head coach.
Keeping Terry Smith on staff in a key assistant coach role could sway players to play in his last game as the head coach at Penn State.
Could Penn State opt not to accept the bowl invite?
There is a scenario where Penn State opts not to play in the bowl game at all as a team.
After a turbulent season where the Nittany Lions failed to live up to preseason expectations and an upperclassmen-heavy roster, Penn State’s players could choose to decline a bowl invite entirely, especially with the uncertainty of who will stay or go with Penn State head coach Matt Campbell coming to town.
We will likely get a clearer picture of how PSU will handle the bowl game in the coming days.
Nittany Lions interim head coach Terry Smith noted that he gave the players the past week off after beating Rutgers to get to bowl eligibility.
With Matt Campbell expected to be introduced at Penn State Monday, a new era is beginning for the Nittany Lions.
Campbell and Smith could certainly use the extra bowl practices to assess the roster heading into 2026 before the transfer portal opens January 2.
EXCLUSIVE: “Campbell Is the BEST Coach”—Why 4-Star Will Slagle Will Still Open Up His Recruitment
Loved this story? Get all our Penn State football coverage and insider updates first. Join our FREE newsletter — your front-row seat to the Lions.
A note to our readers; If you make a purchase through one of our affiliate links, we may receive a commission
About the Author
