Hey Bob! Will Penn State blowouts in the last 3 games move the needle with the playoff committee?

So, let's get this straight: Penn State is No. 4 in the latest college playoff rankings, but really No. 6 in the 12-team seeding process? Way to keep it confusing, guys.

The upcoming college playoff, and the Nittany Lions' likely appearance in it, is very much on the minds of PennLive's Penn State text subscribers.

We move on with our regular look at some interesting questions and comments from those guys.

From Brian:

How can you have a statement win against a Purdue? Maryland? Minnesota? Would blowouts constitute a statement win? Would blowouts make a case to the selection committee for a higher seeding over let's say a one-loss Tennessee or Notre Dame or Miami? We are already ranked over those teams, but could that change if we don't "blow out" inferior competition? As this team grows with each game and gains experience (even the loss to OSU was educational) is there a point where this team transitions from great to elite?

Brian, you are a deep, detailed thinker, my man. I understand where you are coming from.

Penn State is not elite this year. The Lions are getting closer, and it is unfortunate that some of PSU's impressive road wins – West Virginia, USC, Wisconsin – are lacking a little luster due to some of the unforeseen struggles of the Mountaineers, Trojans and Badgers.

The wideouts are improved but couldn't make plays against Ohio State. The offensive play-calling was too predictable inside the Buckeyes' 5.

To be elite, you have to be capable of making the playoff semis. I doubt that will happen. Oregon, Ohio State, Texas are better, and possibly Georgia, Texas, Tennessee, Alabama and Ole Miss would be tough for the Lions to beat.

I do think Penn State is inching closer to being a complete team, but the Lions are indeed lacking in statement wins. Elite will likely have to wait until 2025, at the earliest.