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SB Nation (“Boring” pick/”Fun” pick):
Bowl: Fiesta Bowl/Outback Bowl
Location: Glendale, AZ/Tampa, FL
Date: Jan. 1, 2019
Opponent: Boise State Broncos/LSU Tigers
247 Sports:
Bowl: Citrus Bowl
Location: Orlando, FL
Date: Jan. 1, 2019
Opponent: South Carolina Gamecocks
CBS Sports:
Bowl: Peach Bowl
Location: Atlanta, GA
Date: Dec. 29, 2018
Opponent: Miami Hurricanes
Sporting News:
Bowl: Citrus Bowl
Location: Orlando, FL
Date: Jan. 1, 2019
Opponent: Auburn Tigers
ESPN:
Bowl: Holiday Bowl
Location: San Diego, CA
Date: Dec. 31, 2018
Opponent: Arizona Wildcats
Record in Citrus Bowl: 2-3 (Wins against LSU and Tennessee)
Record in Fiesta Bowl: 6-0 (Wins against Washington, Texas, Tennessee, Miami, USC, and Ohio State)
Record in Outback Bowl: 3-1 (Wins against Auburn, Kentucky, and Tennessee)
Record in Peach Bowl: Never played
Record in Holiday Bowl: 1-0 (Win against BYU)
Not surprisingly, there is a perception from these outlets that Penn State will take a step back in 2018 due to the loss of players like Saquon Barkley, Mike Gesicki, DaeSean Hamilton, Jason Cabinda, and Marcus Allen, just to name a few. (Meanwhile, several ESPN broadcasters, including Kirk Herbstreit, picked the Nittany Lions to go to the College Football Playoff.) I’m not going to fault anyone for their selections yet, although I’m #TeamNoFun when it comes to Jason Kirk’s projections for SB Nation. I would personally be nervous for Penn State facing Boise State at the site of their miracle win against Oklahoma, and would prefer a trip to Atlanta to face Miami. In just a few days, it’ll be time for the speculation to become more realistic when Happy Valley plays host to App State.