Penn State news: Analyst tabs Nittany Lions as sneaky CFP contender
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The 2025 season was a disaster for Penn State. After reaching the College Football Playoff in 2024, the team fell flat, leading to the dismissal of James Franklin as the head coach. Now, Matt Campbell has taken over and brought with him quarterback Rocco Becht from Iowa State.
Penn State will open the year ranked 18th in the first AP Poll, but Heather Dinich of ESPN believes they could be a dark horse for the playoffs in 2026, speaking on the Pat McAfee show.
“Well, going to the Big Ten, I’m looking at number 18 there, Penn State. I don’t know if there’s a big-time school out there that has an easier schedule with a first-year head coach, Matt Campbell. I mean, no Power Four non-conference opponents, no Ohio State, no Oregon; I think their whiteout game is going to be USC at home. They got Michigan, but that sets up for a sneaky College Football Playoff run,” Dinich said.
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Penn State opens its season on September 5 against Marshall, before visiting Temple and hosting Buffalo. They miss each of the three favorites in the conference, top-ranked Ohio State, second-ranked Oregon, and sixth-ranked Indiana. The Nittany Lions face just three teams currently ranked in the AP Top 25. They host USC on October 10 before visiting Michigan on October 17. They also visit Washington on November 7.
Odds according to DraftKings have the Penn State win total set at 8.5, with the over favored. They are tied for fifth in odds to reach the Big Ten Championship game with Michigan, but sit behind Michigan in odds to win the Big Ten.
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