The Nittany Lions navigated an offseason of change, critical injuries, three tense road games, that loss and its resulting boos to earn a date with Oregon.

The No. 1 Oregon Ducks capped an undefeated regular season with a thrashing of rival Washington on Saturday. Next up? A Big Ten championship game tilt with Penn State. Some in the sports media sphere think Oregon would benefit from a loss in this game to ease their hypothetical path in the College Football Playoff.

Penn State football still has a shot at playing for a Big Ten Championship. It's not a favorable path − even if they beat underdog Minnesota and Maryland, as expected. But there are ways for the Nittany Lions to still make it to Indianapolis on Dec. 7 to play No. 1 Oregon. The Ducks have already clinched a spot in the game.