In the initial CFP rankings, Penn State was seeded seventh and projected to face Notre Dame in the first round. The Lions moved up to the sixth seed two weeks ago and were projected to play Ole Miss. Last week, they were the sixth seed and were projected to play Georgia.

Warde Manuel, CFP selection committee chair, explained the decision to keep the Nittany Lions above the Fighting Irish.

Penn State is still in position to earn a spot in the College Football Playoff and potentially host a first-round game at Beaver Stadium.