Kirk Herbstreit threw down the gauntlet on The Pat McAfee Show, making the boldest prediction about Penn State this season that any major media member has dared to utter: he sees them going 10-2 and making the college football playoff. That’s a huge statement, especially with the season kicking off in just eight days.
The Schedule That Makes Playoff Dreams Possible
Herbstreit, one of the most respected voices in college football and a staple on ESPN’s College GameDay, isn’t just pulling these numbers out of thin air. He’s looking at that schedule, and honestly, it’s pretty clear why he’s so optimistic. The former Ohio State quarterback pointed out a key factor: the Nittany Lions totally avoid facing his Buckeyes and Oregon this year. That’s two massive bullet dodges right there, eliminating some of the toughest matchups you could imagine in a college football season. No wonder he’s seeing a clear path to double-digit wins.
The Road Blocks That Could Derail The Dream
Now, it’s not all sunshine and roses on the schedule. Herbstreit did mention some road games that could definitely give Penn State trouble. We’re talking about those late-season battles against Michigan and Washington, which are always brutal on the road. Those are the kind of games that can make or break a 10-win season. He also highlighted that the *only* real way this team falls short of expectations is if they somehow drop one of those winnable out-of-conference games. That’s the stuff that makes you sweat, right?
Penn State fans have been feeling pretty good about their team for a while now, but this? This is the validation they’ve been waiting for. Someone as prominent as Herbstreit backing up their optimism is huge. They’ve got a shot to prove him right when the season kicks off in a little over a week. Get ready, college football, because if Herbstreit’s right, Penn State is about to shake things up.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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