Warde Manuel, CFP selection committee chair, explained the decision to keep the Nittany Lions above the Fighting Irish.

Penn State held steady at No. 4 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings that came out Tuesday night, while also remaining at the No. 6 seed in the bracket. Here’s what the latest rankings mean for the Nittany Lions.

The Nittany Lions are near locks to make the College Football Playoff, according to ESPN. They also could play for a Big Ten title.

The Big Ten championship participants based on the current standings are straightforward, with Oregon and Indiana both holding on to undefeated records. While it’s unlikely the Ducks will lose, with only a home game against 6-5 Washington remaining, the Hoosiers have a less navigable road.

Penn State football is one expected victory away from securing a first-round College Football Playoff Game in Beaver Stadium. At least that's how the fourth rendition of the CFP rankings reveal should project tonight.