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Penn State Bowl Game: The Opt-Out Question and 3 Matchups That Could Decide Terry Smith’s Future

Interim head coach Terry Smith was instrumental in Penn State salvaging bowl eligibility over the second half of a disappointing season. Interim head coach Terry Smith helped propel Penn State to bowl eligibility after stunning early season disapointment. (Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images)

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Penn State Bowl Game: The Opt-Out Question and 3 Matchups That Could Decide Terry Smith’s Future

Originally posted on Nittany Central | By Robert Shields | Last updated Dec 1, 2025 12:05 PM ET

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As unexpected as it was when Penn State dropped to 3-6 earlier this season, the Nittany Lions punched their ticket to a bowl game Saturday after a third straight win, escaping Rutgers with a victory in the season finale. As of Monday, the Nittany Lions are still waiting on news of who will be the head coach of the team in 2026, but one thing is clear, the Nittany Lions will have one more game with the current team and roster.

Last week, interim head coach Terry Smith called Penn State’s game against Rutgers Saturday “like a playoff game.”

Smith further commented that getting to a bowl game, “means everything to us in the building.”

Now, after the Nittany Lions’ final regular season game, those goals have been accomplished, and Penn State can shift focus to actually playing in the bowl game.

Terry Smith also commented on potential opt-outs for Penn State as the Nittany Lions head into the 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.”

With all of that in mind, lets take a look at where and who Penn State could potentially be playing in the thirteenth game of the season. Here are some options that range from highly captivating matchups to potential snooze-fests.

Penn State’s Most Likely Bowl Destinations, Possible Matchups

Pinstripe Bowl, New York City

Penn State vs. Pitt or Clemson

Penn State Football could be heading to the Pinstripe Bowl to close out the 2025 College Football Season at Yankee Stadium. Penn State could close out a disappointing 2025 college football season at the Pinstripe Bowl in Yankee Stadium. (Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports)

The first option is the most intriguing for Nittany Lions fans.

A matchup between in-state “rival” Pitt in the Bronx for a bowl game would be a highly anticipated matchup for the State of Pennsylvania. This possibility may also intrigue the Pinstripe Bowl enough to set this matchup.

If it isn’t Pitt, another intriguing ACC matchup for Penn State in the Pinstripe Bowl would be with former Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Allen and Clemson, who have also had a disappointing 2025 season.

GameAbove Sports Bowl, Detroit, Michigan (December 26)

PSU vs. Ohio or Central Michigan

This has been the most predicted matchup for the Nittany Lions this bowl season.

A day after Christmas matchup with MAC opponent Ohio or Central Michigan has potential snooze-fest written all over it. The possibility of playing a non-power conference opponent in Detroit the day after Christmas could sway veteran players into opting out of the game, creating potential depth concerns for the Nittany Lions as well.