College Football Playoff prediction: Why No. 6 seed Penn State can win first national title since 1986 season

When the College Football Playoff expanded to 12 teams, 6-seed Penn State was held up as a shining example of a team that would’ve benefitted the most from an expanded field the entire playoff era. Well, it turns out it was true because here we are in the first season of the 12-team field, and look who not only made the field but has won two games to reach the semifinals.

It’s the Penn State Nittany Lions!

Yep, the team that’s long been hit with the “can’t win the big one” tag has indeed won a couple of big ones the last few weeks, and now it finds itself a couple more big ones away from its first national title since 1986. Of the four teams remaining, Penn State is viewed as the underdog, but it’s a misnomer considering the quality of the field remaining.

While Penn State might not be the team with the best odds of hoisting the trophy on Monday, Jan. 20, it has a realistic chance to do so. Here’s why.

1. A hell-raising defense

The biggest question surrounding Penn State after its Fiesta Bowl victory is the status of standout defensive end Abdul Carter, who ended the game on the sideline watching due to injury. The good news is Carter’s social media presence suggests his injury will not keep him out of the Orange Bowl, which is great news for the Nittany Lions and terrible news for Notre Dame.

Carter is the best player on one of the best defenses in the country. It’s a unit that ranks ninth nationally in points allowed per possession (1.41), and its strength is a defensive front that causes a ton of chaos. Carter leads the way with 21.5 tackles for loss and 11 sacks, but he’s hardly a one-man show. Dani Dennis-Sutton (11 TFL, 6.5 sacks), Zane Durant (10 TFL, 3 sacks), Kobe King (8.5 TFL, 3 sacks), Amin Vanover (3.5 sacks) and plenty of…

Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/college-football-playoff-prediction-why-no-6-seed-penn-state-can-win-first-national-title-since-1986-season/

Author : Tom Fornelli

Publish date : 2025-01-06 15:30:00

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