Penn State’s special teams certainly made an impact on last week’s game vs. Minnesota, positively and negatively. Freshman kicker Ryan Barker continued his strong 2024 season, making two field goals to improve to 10-for-11, and the Nittany Lions executed a game-saving fake punt to perfection in the fourth quarter.

As a reminder, an Ohio State loss to Michigan and a Penn State win vs. Maryland would send Penn State to the Big Ten championship game next week to face Oregon in Indianapolis. But if Ohio State wins, Penn State will likely clinch a chance to host a first-round playoff game in December.

Maryland football officially lost the ability to become bowl eligible after falling to Iowa Saturday, 29-13. The Terps had previously made three-straight bowl games under head coach Michael Locksley.