Success With Hyperlinking: Rivalry Week

Welcome to Rivalry Week, folks. There will be plenty of intriguing matchups this week, with even more intriguing history — and reason for hate — behind those contests. History only matters so much in a rivalry, but is it truly possible to throw out the record books in a week like this?

This closing week’s games carry major implications for bowl season, even if there may be too many bowl games to go around. The final week of the regular season may not have much room remaining for chaos to rein, but there are some games that can cause some mayhem.

For now, though, the question of “Who’s In?” seems fairly straightforward, though some can envision surprise scenarios shaking out.

Senior Day Sendoff

Plenty of games this week will be hard-fought and come down to the wire in a heated matchup between old rivals. Penn State versus Rutgers isn’t likely to be one of those games. The highlight of this week’s contest against the Scarlet Knights will likely come before the opening kickoff, as the Nittany Lions will honor 16 seniors who will suit up for their final game at Beaver Stadium.

With the surprise success the Nittany Lions had to start the season, it could be easy to be disappointed with how the past few weeks have gone. This thought-to-be rebuilding season is far from being a failure. With a strong performance on Saturday and some help elsewhere in the Big Ten, the Nittany Lions should be on their way to another New Year’s Six bowl game.

There has been plenty of news leading up to the final regular season game of the season, though much of it is related to off-field issues. Earlier today, it was reported that wide receiver Justin Shorter entered the infamous transfer portal. Not much else is known of the situation, but Shorter may be seeking greater opportunity in a new environment.

Shorter’s departure seems palpable, but another Nittany Lion departure has been circling the rumor mill basically since the season started. Penn State will do all it can to keep James Franklin at the helm, no matter how many programs are inquiring.