With the 2026 college football season looming, analysts are dissecting each team's path to the College Football Playoff. ESPN's Greg McElroy has zeroed in on Penn State, praising a schedule that sidesteps the conference's traditional powerhouses and offers the Nittany Lions a clear route to eight or nine victories.
A Schedule Tailored for Success
McElroy ranks Penn State's slate as the second‑most manageable in the Big Ten, trailing only Iowa's. The schedule deliberately avoids top‑tier opponents such as Ohio State, Indiana and Oregon, allowing the team to conserve energy and focus on winnable games early in the season.
At the heart of the optimistic projection is quarterback Rocco Becht. The returning starter has logged more starts and wins than any other FBS returner, providing a steady hand for a unit that must integrate a wave of new talent around him.
The coaching staff must also navigate a quarterback competition at Iowa, where veteran Kirk Ferentz will decide between Jeremy Hecklinski and Hank Brown. That decision could influence the broader Big Ten dynamics, but Penn State's own roster stability offers a contrasting narrative.
Penn State's ability to retain key defenders like linebacker Tony Rojas and secondary stalwarts Zion Tracy and Audavion Collins adds depth at critical positions. Their experience, combined with the emergence of new playmakers, could accelerate the team's cohesion.
The season opens on September 5 with a home matchup against Marshall at Beaver Stadium. A strong start there would not only boost early momentum but also reinforce the narrative that the Nittany Lions are poised for a breakout year.
If the new players gel quickly, McElroy suggests that Penn State could finish the regular season with eight or nine wins, positioning them as a legitimate playoff contender. The combination of a favorable schedule, an experienced quarterback, and a core of returning talent makes the case compelling, even as the team navigates the inevitable challenges of a rebuilding year.