Expectations surrounding Penn State’s football season are already beginning to build months ahead of kickoff. With an easy schedule, many are starting to take notice of the potential season the Nittany Lions can have.
FOX Sports analyst Joel Klatt recently spoke about Penn State’s outlook heading into next season, pointing to a schedule that could create legitimate College Football Playoff momentum if the Nittany Lions handle business early, which they should
Klatt named one matchup in particular as the biggest question.
"The toughest game that Penn State has on their schedule is at Michigan," Klatt said. "Here's Penn State over in the distance, they could be undefeated by this point. … They would certainly be, at a minimum, in the top 12 in the country. They'll have a lot of momentum."
Klatt shows how favorably Penn State’s early schedule could position the program in the national conversation. Frankly, Penn State doesn’t have any excuse to lose more than a game next season, if that.
If the Nittany Lions take care of business and get wins heading into their road test against Michigan, there’s a chance that one win could put them in a position to be a favorite for the CFP.
"It could put Penn State on a path, if they were to beat USC and Michigan, where we're thinking, ‘Not only is this a playoff team, but is this team going to go to the Big Ten Championship Game and maybe win it?’"
From a roster standpoint, Penn State looks a lot different, but it was also able to retain some players. Matt Campbell won’t have the easiest job in Year 1 but there’s reason to believe that this team can be very good. If the offensive unit takes a step forward, there’s reason to believe the defense will be more than fine.
Momentum, as he noted, is something Penn State has to build after not doing so in 2025. An undefeated or one-loss Penn State team entering November would be a lock to make the CFP.
Not that a game against Michigan is easy, but it won’t be the same Michigan team we’re used to seeing due to what that program has gone through recently.