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 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.

Notre Dame’s could push them past Penn State in the next CFP rankings. Here’s why the Irish might deserve the edge.