Penn State Scandal: Rose Bowl, Capital One Bowl Would Accept Nittany Lions

There's been some question as to whether or not bowl games with Big Ten tie-ins would take the Penn State Nittany Lions in the wake of the large-scale campus that's rocked State College. Since word of the scandal broke, some sponsors have pulled out of broadcasts involving Penn State, leading many to wonder whether bowl games would pass the Nittany Lions over.

However, representatives from both the Rose Bowl and Capital One Bowl, however, said they'd be fine handing Penn State a bid, should its on-field performance warrant one.

Kevin Ash said Thursday that the Rose Bowl would let the Big Ten decide if there is a reason its champion shouldn't play the Pac-12 winner in Pasadena, Calif., on Jan. 2.

"Whoever the champions are," Ash said, "we'll welcome with open arms."

Via ESPN

The Rose Bowl has the first choice of Big Ten teams and is slated to take the winner of the Big Ten Championship. The Capital One Bowl is second in line for the Big Ten. Also of note: the TicketCity Bowl, which is the No. 7 Big Ten bowl tie-in, would gladly take Penn State. Glad that's settled.

Previously, interim head coach Tom Bradley told reporters rumors of Penn State declining a bowl bid are untrue. Penn State President Rod Erickson said the school has not yet made a decision about a bowl game, but also added he expects the school to play wherever it deserves to play.