Sports Illustrated analyst Bryan Fischer has laid out a stark projection for the Alabama Crimson Tide: the program will not secure a spot in the 2027 College Football Playoff and will instead travel to Orlando for the Citrus Bowl on January 2, 2027, where they will meet the Penn State Nittany Lions.
The forecast comes as Alabama prepares for a demanding 2026 slate that includes matchups against Kentucky, Florida State, South Carolina, Mississippi State, Georgia, Tennessee, Texas A&M, LSU, Vanderbilt and a season‑opening game against East Carolina on September 5, which will be broadcast on ABC. The Crimson Tide enter the season ranked No. 11 in the Coaches Poll and No. 13 in the AP Top 25, a position that reflects both optimism and the challenge of replacing a deep roster.
Penn State, meanwhile, arrives in the bowl picture with a 7‑6 record from the previous year that saw coach James Franklin dismissed after a loss to Northwestern. Under new leadership, the Nittany Lions are ranked No. 17 in the Coaches Poll and No. 18 in the AP poll, a modest rise that reflects a rebuilding effort overseen by coach Matt Campbell in his first season.
A Rivalry Steeped in Tradition
The two schools share a long‑standing rivalry that dates back to the 1980s, when they met annually from 1981 through 1990. Their most recent encounter was part of a home‑and‑home series in 2011, and Alabama holds a 10‑5 all‑time edge, highlighted by a dramatic goal‑line stand in the 1979 Sugar Bowl that secured a 14‑7 victory over Joe Paterno’s Nittany Lions.
That defensive masterpiece, orchestrated under the tutelage of Paterno, remains a touchstone for Penn State’s defensive identity. The upcoming Citrus Bowl will pit Alabama’s high‑powered offense, led by coach Kalen DeBoer in his third year, against a Penn State team seeking to re‑establish its defensive reputation.
For Sports Illustrated, the projection is part of a broader analysis that also references insights from analyst Barry Krauss and veteran reporter Mark Schlabach, who have chronicled the shifting dynamics of both programs. The article also notes that ESPN will carry live coverage of the game, underscoring the broadcast partnership that has become a staple of college football weekends.