PENN STATE VS. RUTGERS

RECORDS: No. 16 Penn State (7-3, 4-3 Big Ten, No. 14 CFP) at Rutgers (1-9, 0-7) TV: Noon, Big Ten LINE: Penn State by 26½. SERIES: Penn State leads 26-2. WHAT’S AT STAKE? For Penn State, a late run at a bowl game on New Year’s Day. The Nittany Lions climbed to No. 14 in the CFP this week after beating Wisconsin. While it’s a longshot, blowing out Rutgers and Maryland in the final two weeks of the season coupled with losses by higher ranked teams, might get them in a top bowl. Rutgers is playing its final home game and coach Chris Ash would like nothing better than to see his seniors leave with a W. KEY MATCHUP: Penn State’s front seven versus Rutgers’ offensive line. The Nittany Lions lead the Big Ten in both sacks (3.4) and tackles for loss (7.4) per game, ranking sixth and 19th nationally, respectively. DE Yetur Gross-Matos leads with eight sacks. Rutgers has allowed 1.20 sacks per game to rank second in the league and 17th nationally. PLAYERS TO WATCH Penn State: Trace McSorley will set the school record for wins by a quarterback if the Nittany Lions beat Rutgers. The redshirt senior has 29 and is currently tied for the top spot with Todd Blackledge (1980-82) and Tony Sacca (1988-91). McSorley also is one touchdown shy of 100 for his career, 118 yards shy of the Penn State career quarterback rushing record of 1,637 yards held by Michael Robinson (2002-05) and 129 yards shy of 2,000 yards passing this season. Rutgers: RB Isiah Pacheco had a career-high 142 yards rushing against No. 4 Michigan last weekend, the third highest by a Scarlet Knight against a ranked opponent. BEST GAME Notre Dame vs. Syracuse at New York: Who could have guessed at the start of the season that this matchup at Yankee Stadium would shape up as one of Notre Dame’s toughest challenges in its bid for a playoff berth? In a year when some of the more prominent programs on Notre Dame’s schedule have endured disappointing seasons, Syracuse has emerged as one of the nation’s bigger surprises. Syracuse’s fast-paced offense with quarterback Eric Dungey should test Notre Dame’s pass rush. Notre Dame also must hope quarterback Ian Book is sharp in his anticipated return after missing a game with an upper-body injury. If Syracuse pulls the upset, Notre Dame could long regret the decision to move this game from South Bend to the Bronx. HEISMAN WATCH McKenzie Milton, UCF: While Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa has all but etched his name on the Heisman Trophy, there’s plenty of mystery regarding who will join him in New York. This week represents Milton’s big chance to show he merits an invitation. Milton and the Knights have feasted on overmatched foes for much of the season, but they face one of their toughest challenges when they host Cincinnati. With the ESPN “College GameDay” crew heading to UCF this week, Milton will have a national stage to show how he’s improved as he tries leading the Knights to a second straight unbeaten season. Milton has thrown 21 TD passes with

The nonconference record of Big Ten West champion Northwestern. The 24th-ranked Wildcats (No. 22 CFP) are the first Power Five team to win a division title while going winless in nonconference play. 3: Every team in the Pac-12 South Division has at least three conference losses. 15: No. 6 Oklahoma (No. 6 CFP) has won 15 consecutive November games heading into its Saturday home game with Kansas. The Sooners haven’t lost in November since falling 48-14 to Baylor on Nov. 8, 2014. 17: No. 20Kentucky (No. 17CFP) hasn’t scored more than 17 points in a game since September. 25: Alabama is seeking a schoolrecord 25th consecutive home victory when it hosts The Citadel. Alabama won 24 straight home games from 1971-74. 36: Florida State has played in a bowl game each of the last 36 seasons, an NCAA record streak. The Seminoles must beat No. 22 Boston College (No. 20 CFP) and No. 15 Florida (No. 13) next week to become bowl eligible this season. 410: Pittsburgh has averaged 410 yards rushing per game during its three-game winning streak. Pitt’s season rushing average of 256.9 is its highest since 1976, when Heisman Trophy winner Tony Dorsett led the Panthers to the national title. Pitt can clinch its first ACC championship game appearance by winning at Wake Forest.