As part of the NCAA’s sanctions against Penn State, the Nittany Lions will not be able to play in a bowl game for the next four years.
To counter the missed opportunity, coach Bill O’Brien said on ESPN’s “Mike and Mike” Wednesday morning that the school could play Hawaii to “act as our bowl game at the end of the year.”
Normally, teams that play the University of Hawaii on their schedule as a non-conference game are allowed to play 13 games.
But there are some issues. Stefanie Loh of the Patriot-News reports that UH’s schedule is set for the next two seasons. Additionally, NCAA Expert for Athnet John Infante told CFT the following:
“It’s normally a part of the penalties in a major infractions case when a postseason ban is issued. It’s not in the consent decree, so still an open question of whether the NCAA would allow it as a 13th game. My bet is no.”
Keep in mind that is one person’s opinion. Alabama was able to play Hawaii in 2002 and ’03 while serving a bowl ban. So was USC in ’10. So the possibility is still there for Penn State.
(Hat tip: Altoona Mirror)