With the 32nd-highest strength of schedule and fourth-best strength of record, the Nittany Lions (10-1, 7-1 Big Ten) have received favorable rankings from the playoff committee

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

It’ll be interesting to see if Penn State and Notre Dame’s rankings switch after the final weekend of the regular season. Penn State is a significant favorite at home against Maryland. Notre Dame travels to face USC — which Penn State beat in overtime back in October.