Fans are buzzing over the Nittany Lions’ controversial selection to face Oregon, leaving Indiana out of the title game.

The race for a berth in the Big Ten championship is straightforward entering the final week of the season. Undefeated Oregon has already clinched a spot. One-loss Penn State, Ohio State and Indiana are all in play to be the Ducks’ opponents on Dec. 7 in Indianapolis.

Why does Penn State get to compete in the Big Ten championship over Indiana after they lost to Ohio on Nov. 2? It's complicated.

Penn State moved up one spot to No. 3 Tuesday night in the penultimate College Football Playoff rankings and is projected to play Arizona State in the first round. The Nittany Lions were projected as the fifth seeds in the 12-team playoff and would play the 12th-seeded Sun Devils (10-2) in the first round Dec. 20 or 21 at Beaver Stadium.

Penn State moved up to No. 3 in the penultimate College Football Playoff rankings that came out Tuesday night, while also moving to the No. 5 seed in the bracket. Here’s what the latest rankings mean for the Nittany Lions and the implications of Saturday’s Big Ten championship game against Oregon.

With the 32nd-highest strength of schedule and fourth-best strength of record, the Nittany Lions (10-1, 7-1 Big Ten) have received favorable rankings from the playoff committee