The expanded College Football Playoff might be a significant benefit for Penn State in 2024.
Most analysts around the country may agree.
But On3’s Ari Wasserman has a different take.
Penn State factors into most projected 12-team fields early in the year, but Wasserman mocked PSU to miss the postseason as the first-team out. Three Big Ten teams made the cut.
Week 4 College Football Playoff Bubble Watch via @AriWasserman🫧https://t.co/KO9kBymrY5 pic.twitter.com/iHbi7vO6h5
— On3 (@On3sports) September 15, 2024
Wasserman selected Ohio State as his No. 1 overall seed. Big Ten newcomers Oregon (8 seed) and USC (11 seed) round out a field of six SEC teams, three Big Ten members, Miami representing the ACC, Kansas State representing the Big 12 and UNLV as the highest Group of 5 selection.
“You could make the case Penn State benefits more from the expansion of the CFP than any other program. The problem? It just so happens to coincide with the expansion of the Big Ten,” Wasserman wrote. “Though Penn State could very well be the third-best team in the Big Ten this year, it’s likely going to find itself right on the cusp of the field in December. If you want to swap Penn State for USC on this list, go ahead. The Trojans and Nittany Lions face off in Los Angeles on Oct. 12.”
Penn State has never clinched a bid in CFP since its inception in 2014. James Franklin and the program’s best chance came in 2016, finishing fifth and winning the Big Ten Championship with Trace McSorley and Saquon Barkley leading the Nittany Lions.
Utah, Clemson, and Notre Dame are the three other teams on Wasserman’s “bubble watch” for the expanded playoff, channeling his inner college basketball bracketology style format. FOX Sports color analyst Joel Klatt ranked Penn State the ninth-best program in the country entering the week.
Week 4 College Football Top 10 Teams per @joelklatt👀https://t.co/bt6ouI4l7r pic.twitter.com/9JYRWMRx1V
— On3 (@On3sports) September 16, 2024
PSU hosts Kent State on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. on the Big Ten Network. Conference play begins next week against No. 23 Illinois for primetime football at Beaver Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for either 7 p.m. or 7:30.
