Who would Penn State football’s playoff opponent be if the season ended right now?
Although Penn State is ranked No. 3 in both the AP and Coaches Polls, that doesn’t mean it would be the No. 3 seed.
In the new playoff system, which has 12 teams instead of four, the top four seeds are reserved for the top four conference champions.
Since Oregon now plays in the Big Ten and is America’s No. 1 team as of Sunday afternoon, it is in the driver’s seat to win the conference on its first try. That leaves Penn State as the highest-rated at-large team, which sets it up against the Group of 5 champion.
Ahh, ha, ha, ha, Group of 5, Group of 5
EUGENE, OR – SEPTEMBER 07: Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty (2) runs for a touchdown in the second quarter during a college football game between the Oregon Ducks and Boise State Broncos on September 7, 2024, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Brian Murphy/Icon Sportswire)
That was a Bee Gees reference.
Now, technically speaking, the Group of 5 champion wouldn’t automatically be locked into the No. 12 seed. If the committee deems a mid-major’s resume to be better than one of the Power Four champions, it has the power to give the little guy a top four seed. But considering the ACC (No. 6 Miami), Big Ten (No. 1 Oregon) Big 12 (No. 10 Iowa State) and SEC (No. 2 Georgia) all have teams that are ranked ahead of No. 17 Boise State, odds are good that the Group of 5 champ will have the lowest seed in the tournament, whether that’s Boise State or somebody else. Unfortunately for whoever Boise State would play should it make the dance, they’ll have to go against possibly the best player in college football.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.PENN STATE VS. MR. HEISMAN
EUGENE, OR – SEPTEMBER 07: Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty (2) runs the ball against Oregon Ducks defensive lineman Derrick Harmon (55) during a college football game between the Oregon Ducks and Boise State Broncos on September 7, 2024, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Brian Murphy/Icon Sportswire)
The NCAA record for rushing yards in a single season is 2,628, set by Barry Sanders during his Heisman campaign of 1988 at Oklahoma State. Through six games, Ashton Jeanty has 1,248, which is below the pace. The thing is, there have been multiple times where Jeanty has sat out the second half because Boise State was ahead by so much. If Jeanty had played more full games, he’d have a lot more yards. But with or without the single-season rushing record, Jeanty is the favorite to win the Heisman, and he should be. He averages just under 10 yards per carry, with 1,248 yards and 17 touchdowns. Yeah, Penn State would have its hands full.
But Penn State can’t worry about Boise State right now or any team aside from Wisconsin, let alone the College Football Playoff.
PSU goes to Madison this weekend for a 7:30 clash on NBC.
