STATE COLLEGE — Penn State still has a path to the College Football Playoff, although the No. 9 Nittany Lions can’t afford another slipup.

Especially against a team they’ve historically beaten. However, this Indiana team is different, and the No. 24 Hoosiers (7-2, 4-2 Big Ten) are determined to show they belong.

The Hoosiers, who are bowl-eligible for the second time in coach Tom Allen’s tenure, earned their first AP Top 25 ranking since 1993 with their fourth-straight win last week.

“Doesn’t really mean anything in regard to on the field,” Allen said. “You have to keep proving it.”

They’ll have a shot at the Nittany Lions (8-1, 5-1), who look to bounce back from their first loss. Penn State dropped from fourth to ninth in the CFP rankings after losing at Minnesota.

Penn State coach James Franklin’s voice piqued at his weekly press conference when asked if his team’s confidence was shaken by the 31-26 loss in Minneapolis. The Nittany Lions played from behind all afternoon, turned the ball over three times and surrendered season highs in points (31) and yards (460).

“We’re one of the best teams in the country,” Franklin said. “You know, probably doesn’t feel that way around here right now, but we dealt with it. We handled it.”