Penn State is officially headed back to the Rose Bowl, folks. This time, the Nittany Lions will take on the defending and reigning Pac-12 Champions, the Utah Utes.
Penn State’s spot in the Rose Bowl was somewhat expected heading into the weekend given the reporting out there, but it was locked in once USC lost in the Pac-12 Championship Game, clearing the way for Ohio State to sneak in the backdoor to the College Football Playoff. With no Buckeyes to contend against — and Purdue going down to Michigan — it was a shoe-in that the Nittany Lions would be chosen for the Rose Bowl.