Penn State will not lack for motivation in Piscataway.

Just like the Rutgers team it is meeting at SHI Stadium, the Nittany Lions (5-6, 2-6) need to win on Saturday to secure a bowl bid. While that may seem like a consolation prize for a program that had national championship aspirations this season, interim head coach Terry Smith is treating it like a “playoff game.”

“We’re playing to get that extra game,” Smith said Monday. “Our guys are excited to finish the year out. So far, preparation has gone great. The energy is still in the building. ... Rutgers is all that matters. It means everything to us in the building and we’re trying to go out and get this victory.”

Penn State put itself in this position by winning its last two games against Michigan State and Nebraska, the latter in d

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