How the 12-team College Football Playoff works 1:52 — Badgsketball (@Badgsketball) October 27, 2024 11:31 pm, October 29, 2024 STORYLINE 2️⃣: Effects CFP, Big Ten Championship chances With December nearly a month away, conversations surrounding the CFP and conference championship games are beginning to ramp. And for Penn State and Ohio State, a win or loss can change each team's postseason trajectory. Here's a look at the magnitude of Saturday's contest for both programs: Nittany Lions Penn State is knocking on the door of its first-ever College Football Playoff appearance and Big Ten Championship since 2016. Standing at 7-0 and with one remaining ranked opponent left on their regular season schedule currently, Nittany Lions' biggest obstacle to achieving stardom is the Buckeyes. Of course, the CFP’s expanded format gives each team more leeway to make mistakes — one and two-loss teams could still make the playoffs. However, a conference championship would give them a bye to the CFP’s quarterfinals and bring the program its fifth-ever Big Ten ring. Buckeyes Ohio State's loss to Oregon stung, but it didn't knock them completely out of CFP contention, especially in a top-5 matchup. However, a loss to Penn State could end the Buckeye’s national title hopes and a trip to Lucas Oil Stadium come December. It would be the second time in the CFP era that OSU hadn’t made the playoffs in two straight seasons (2017 and 2018). The Buckeyes still have No. 13 Indiana, who’s first in Big Ten’s standings, still on the docket. And with the Hoosiers and Nittany Lions ahead of them in the conference standings, both wins are required for a postseason they hope for. OSU QB Will Howard on playing Penn State, the team he grew up rooting for: "They didn't think I was good enough. I guess we'll see next week if I was." 👀 pic.twitter.com/7FcbANa45u