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Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORK

NCAAF Top 25 futures: Penn State offers viable alternative to OSU/Michigan dominance

By Matt Wiesenfeld | Last updated 8/9/23

Penn State is a proud program, so even though it does not have the conference history of foes Ohio State and Michigan, it sees itself as in that class. Deservedly so. Since the program was knocked down by scandal it has been rebuilt. Head coach James Franklin has them poised to have a special season. It looks like it is time to get some hardware.

For that to happen, an inexperienced quarterback is going to have to grow up quickly. He has a lot of help though, and the Nittany Lions are in a position to make the Big Ten that much more difficult for the new teams that are coming next season. Nevertheless, now is the time to strike.

No. 8 Penn State Nittany Lions 2023 Win Total

Over 9.5 -140 / Under 9.5 +120

There is a lot of market support for the Big Ten having three teams capable of making the College Football Playoffs this season. These odds and pricing are suggesting Penn State will win 10 games and if they do (or more) they are going to be right in the thick of things. I am very excited to see how this team starts and how they match up with the Wolverines and Buckeyes. In terms of value though, you might want to look for those spots where they are underdogs rather than the season-long play that ties up your bankroll.

The Nittany Lions begin their season with a contest against a Power 5 opponent, but West Virginia is barely that these days. Delaware, an FCS school, is next up and that will be a romp as well. Penn State's only other nonconference game is against light-hitting UMass, conveniently scheduled ahead of their road tilt against Ohio State, the toughest game on their schedule. If they can win that one they get Michigan at home in a game they might actually be favored in. This is a pretty manageable schedule all things considered. A night game at Michigan State to close the year could be a spot where they are caught looking ahead, though I am not sure MSU has enough this season to nip them.

For the Nittany Lions to have a strong season they need competent work from young quarterback Drew Allar. He definitely looks the part and is lucky to have what might be the best set of tailbacks in the country in Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen. That can take the pressure off. So can a defense featuring Chop Robinson, one of the most disruptive edge players in the nation. Penn State has built up to the point where they do not need to out scheme Michigan and Ohio State, they can go right at them. As long as they don't make mistakes of inexperience.

In the Big Ten, you have to decide which team you like best. I am all in on Penn State being able to beat any team on their schedule, and I am especially hot on them tipping Ohio State this season, even though it is on the road. That stated, I like the over with PSU, even though the payoff is not significant.

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