by Vegas Writer
Saturday, Aug 23, 2025Each year there is a team or two that, on paper, have you believing they’re a shoe-in to still be standing by the time we get to the College Football Championship semifinals.
Penn State is, and has been in the past, one of those teams. As stout as its roster is, you would think they should be among the nation’s leaders in wins this season, as well as in the national title conversation. The only thing standing in its way, however, is its schedule.
In a nutshell, Penn State has displayed a knack for padding its non-conference schedule with non-threatening competition. A great way to post a great regular season record, but over the long haul, it’s proven to leave them untested for the postseason. Are we in store for more of the same this time around?
For a perfect example of this, look no further than last year. Ranked No. 8, the Lions opened the season by beating up on West Virginia, Bowling Green, Illinois and UCLA - all of which were unranked. The Nittany Lions finished with an 11-1 regular season mark and were 8-1 in conference play. But by the time the Big Ten title game rolled around, they faltered against Oregon and ultimately fell to Notre Dame in the national semifinal.
Let’s be clear, a lot of teams do it, just typically not programs that are ranked No. 2 in the country on Week 1 of the season and that possess a stacked roster which includes three players named to the preseason AP All-America team (running back Nicholas Singleton, offensive lineman Olaivavega Ioane and defensive lineman Zane Durant).
The consensus win total for the Nittany Lions is 10.5, which is more than doable with a relatively soft schedule working for you. They open the season with three straight at home versus Nevada, Florida International and Villanova, and play just three teams currently ranked in the AP preseason Top 25 poll in Oregon (7), Ohio State (3) and Indiana (20).
The Nittany Lions Over/Under 10.5 victories is a play worth looking into, but to think they’re national title game-bound may be a stretch.
Penn State is, and has been in the past, one of those teams. As stout as its roster is, you would think they should be among the nation’s leaders in wins this season, as well as in the national title conversation. The only thing standing in its way, however, is its schedule.
In a nutshell, Penn State has displayed a knack for padding its non-conference schedule with non-threatening competition. A great way to post a great regular season record, but over the long haul, it’s proven to leave them untested for the postseason. Are we in store for more of the same this time around?
For a perfect example of this, look no further than last year. Ranked No. 8, the Lions opened the season by beating up on West Virginia, Bowling Green, Illinois and UCLA - all of which were unranked. The Nittany Lions finished with an 11-1 regular season mark and were 8-1 in conference play. But by the time the Big Ten title game rolled around, they faltered against Oregon and ultimately fell to Notre Dame in the national semifinal.
Let’s be clear, a lot of teams do it, just typically not programs that are ranked No. 2 in the country on Week 1 of the season and that possess a stacked roster which includes three players named to the preseason AP All-America team (running back Nicholas Singleton, offensive lineman Olaivavega Ioane and defensive lineman Zane Durant).
The consensus win total for the Nittany Lions is 10.5, which is more than doable with a relatively soft schedule working for you. They open the season with three straight at home versus Nevada, Florida International and Villanova, and play just three teams currently ranked in the AP preseason Top 25 poll in Oregon (7), Ohio State (3) and Indiana (20).
The Nittany Lions Over/Under 10.5 victories is a play worth looking into, but to think they’re national title game-bound may be a stretch.
