Former Foes: Postseason Edition

With bowl season just around the corner, we take a look at how Penn State’s former foes are faring with regards to the postseason picture. Who’s going bowling? Who’s spending the holidays at home and getting drunk? Let’s find out!

Former Foes

Idaho Vandals

Last Seen: Doing whatever it is folks in Idaho do during the holiday season, since they did not make the FCS playoffs. Perhaps watching Napoleon Dynamite?

Up Next: September 5th, 2020 at home against the Western Oregon Wolves.

2019 Record: 5-7

Buffalo Bulls

Last Seen: Beating down Bowling Green in their regular season finale, 49-7.

Up Next: Da Bulls are heading down to the Bahamas to take on first-time bowl participants Charlotte in the Bahamas Bowl on December 20th. Lance Leipold’s crew will have the dubious distinction of kicking off the bowl season for us.

2019 Record: 7-5

Pittsburgh Panthers

Last Seen: Pittening their pants so hard in their regular season finale, in a 23-16 loss at home to Boston College, who ended up firing their head coach Steve Addazzio, anyway. Well done, Pat Narduzzi. Well done, sir.

Up Next: A lovely Christmas Vacation to Detroit, where the Panthers will face Eastern Michigan in the Quick Lane Bowl on December 26th.

2019 Record: 7-5

Maryland Terrapins

Last Seen: Giving Michigan State a battle on the road before ultimately losing, 19-16. Anthony McFarland ran for 134 yards and a touchdown on just eight carries in his final college game, as he recently announced his intention to declare for the NFL Draft.

Up Next: A long, difficult, offseason likely filled with transfers as Mike Locksley determines who truly wants to be a part of the program build going forward. At least there’s always basketball

2019 Record: 3-9

Purdue Boilermakers

Last Seen: Taking their hated interstate rivals Indiana to two overtimes before ultimately succumbing, 44-41.

Up Next: Much like with Maryland, there’s always basketball to look forward to. That being said, the future looks much brighter, with an injury-plauged Boilermaker squad having the full offseason to recover, especially Rondale Moore. Given how young this team was to begin with, and how many players ended up being forced into action this season, this is a team to look out for in 2020, as they will bring more depth and experience to the table and should be a candidate for the Big Ten’s top breakout team.

2019 Record: 4-8

Iowa Hawkeyes

Last Seen: Rallying from a 24-10 halftime deficit to defeat Nebraska on the road, 27-24. Keith Duncan booted the game-winning field goal for the Hawkeyes with three seconds left, after Nebraska head coach Scott Frost called a timeout in an attempt to ice the kicker. Duncan then proceeded to blow a kiss towards Frost and the Nebraska sideline, which got Frost all mad offline.

Up Next: Iowa will play USC in the Holiday Bowl on December 27th.

2019 Record: 9-3

Michigan Wolverines

Last Seen: Getting waxed once again by their hated rivals in “The Game.” The vaunted Don Brown defense gave up 56 points in the process.

Up Next: A New Year’s Day showdown against Alabama in the Citrus Bowl looms. Here’s to hoping Brett McMurphy’s wishes expressed in his tweet below come true.

2019 Record: 9-3

Michigan State Spartans

Last Seen: Pulling out a tight 19-16 win over Maryland on Senior Day, clinching their sixth win of the season and bowl eligibility.

Up Next: Sparty will spend their Christmas in NYC, as they prepare to face Wake Forest in the Pinstripe Bowl on December 27th.

2019 Record: 6-6

Minnesota Golden Gophers

Last Seen: The Gophers steadied the boat in Evanston, defeating Northwestern 38-22.

Up Next: The Gophers are rowing the boat all the way down to Tampa, where they will face Auburn in the Outback Bowl on New Year’s Day.

2019 Record: 10-2

Indiana Hoosiers

Last Seen: Winning a 44-41 double OT thriller over Purdue to reclaim the Old Oaken Bucket.

Up Next: #9WINDIANA now hinges upon the Hoosiers beating Tennessee in the Gator Bowl on January 2nd.

2019 Record: 8-4

Ohio State Buckeyes

Last Seen: Taking down “That Team Up North” 56-27, followed by having to actually rally from a deficit for the first time all season long in their rematch with Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship Game. Trailing 21-7 at halftime, the Buckeyes outscored the Badgers 27-0 in the second half to clinch their third straight B1G Championship.

Up Next: The Bucks will face Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl on December 28th, in a College Football Playoff semifinal showdown. Unlike the last time these two teams met in a CFP semifinal in the Fiesta Bowl, expect OSU to actually put up points this time around.

2019 Record: 13-0

Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Last Seen: Putting up fight in their season finale at Penn State, before ultimately succumbing, 27-6. Perhaps the players caught wind early about Greg Schiano actually coming back to Piscataway to coach the program, after all.

Up Next: An offseason chock full of Big Ten Powerhouse Rutgers (BTPR) and #CHOPNationIsBack delusion from the Rutgers fan base.

2019 Record: 2-10

Former Bros

Mississippi State Bulldogs

Last Seen: Winning the Egg Bowl over Ole Miss, thanks to a now-infamous celebration penalty.

Up Next: Joe Moorhead’s job was likely saved by that moment of idiocy on Ole Miss’ behalf, as the Dawgs earned bowl eligbility and will face Louisville in the Music City Bowl on December 30th.

2019 Record: 6-6