Does No. 6 Penn State have the EASIEST path in the College Football Playoff?

PennLive's Max Ralph and Johnny McGonigal share their reactions to Penn State's College Football Playoff seeding, which puts the Nittany Lions against SMU at Beaver Stadium in the first round.

[@JessicaOlson-q9e]

Hi all. Stumbled on this video going down a KZbin rabbit hole. Im a huge Boise State Fan born and raised in Boise and I just wanted to say that many of us are excited to see a match up between BSU and Penn State. I thought you guys played a great game against Oregon. I was rooting for Penn State to win. Oergon 🦆 is somewhat a rival team for BSU because of region and the fact we have 3 wins and 1 loss against them. Our 1 loss obviously was this season and they only won by a last second field goal kick. Penn State and Boise State have never played each other and thats what is cool about the expended playoffs is you get to see teams that never play each other and it will be interesting to see how those match ups pan out. BSU has wanted games like this for years and just to be considered. I know all the odds are against us to be one and out, but in our defense we have had 3 Fiesta Bowl appearances and came out on top with 3 wins 🏆. If you have never watched the 2007 Fiesta bowl game of BSU against Oklahoma. Go watch it! One of the best on the edge of your seat games in CFB history. Maybe we will get to see Penn State BSU match up on New years eve.

[@alg678]

Massive Oregon fan. BSU is my second favorite team in CFB, exciting program. Jeanty deserves to win the Heisman. Best of luck in the playoffs, I'll be rooting for the Bronc unless they play my Ducks.

[@CeanStrauss]

The Boise St. Smurffs! Lol, you all almost dashed our perfect regular season/conference championship run this year too. Jeanty is an absolute beast! Though part of me feels like he's being ran into the ground. Like zero workload management makes me worry about his health and longevity. That's kinda the whole reason a "cow bell" running back system is pretty much obsolete in 2024. Handing the ball off to one person 40 times a game takes a toll on the body. Love watching him play though. Good luck Broncos, Go Ducks!

[@JessicaOlson-q9e]

@CeanStrauss I worry about Jeanty being run into the gound and taking so many hits and I think it showed in our conference championship against UNLV. They stacked the box and he took hit after hit. Yes he still did amazing, but at some point he is going to get gassed out and tired. Our QB stepped it up in the 1st half of the conference game, but then had some really bad throws that could have been devastating interceptions had UNLV been able to catch them. We got lucky. Oregon has played fantastic this season. Would love to see a Broncos/Ducks rematch in the championship. Probably won't happen, but hey it's CFB and the way this season has gone anything can happen. It's been a crazy ride.

[@JessicaOlson-q9e]

@@alg678 Oregon has such an amazing season. They got it done! It's awesome to see other teams in the fight for the national championship and I really do think Oregon can take it all the to the end and bring it home. I would love for BSU to do it but I just don't think we can get it relying on Jeanty alone. My hope is that we just have one win over SMU or Penn State to show that we will not be one and out in the playoffs.

[@alienspace3960]

great history and tradition going back to coach lyle smith iconic blue turf. Passionate fanbase and boise state reminds me a bit of penn state pre big ten they just win great support and for g5 good investment into their program.Matt Lauter their Te has some tyler warren in him, watch their games every week.Hope they play in these games every year love seeing boise state in big time bowls.

[@kevinfogarty6924]

No excuses, the table has been set perfectly for PSU.

[@joshbazon2764]

SMU is a highly under-rated team that Penn State must not underestimate SMU in the first round.

[@edandchristina617]

Remind me a bit of Oregon offense.

[@sbrown4556]

They won't. The fans on social media will, but not the coaches and players.

[@robertrembecki6225]

Agreed...saw them play Pitt...super fast. Psu secondary definitely has to show up

[@therealzeel3081]

Don't underestimate SMU or Boise State. Both are very good football teams.

[@kevinchandler179]

Agree, but my Nittany Lions 🦁 are winning 2 games and going to the final 4!!!! WE ARE, they showed us something last night!!! Proud of the boys and coaches

[@marshcreek4355]

But can they duplicate it? That's the real question.

[@sbrown4556]

@@marshcreek4355 Yeah, a team that wins 11 times couldn't possibly duplicate a win.

[@drm9979]

I opposed the 12 team playoff as unnecessary and damaging to the regular season. I now realize I was wrong, even though I hope it expands no further. These games are interesting to the max and whereas the bowl games had become boring due to the opt outs, the excitement is back more than ever.

[@robertadams6606]

I think PSU & Boise would be so cool to see. Close to the score of Big 10 Championship.

[@robertadams6606]

I don't think you could argue about PSU seeding. You still have to win the games. Still need to get WR playmakers to fully become Elite. Also questions about the D.

[@sbrown4556]

Every team not named Oregon has questions.

[@alg678]

Easiest path for sure. Penn State rolls SMU at home in the cold. Wins a shootout vs Boise State. Loses to Georgia. Oregon wins it all. *GO BIG GREEN*

[@sbrown4556]

Assuming they get past these teams, Notre Dame would be the following one.

[@jasonvoorhees6416]

THEY ABSOLUTELY NEED TO MAKE IT TO THE SEMI FINAL WITH THIS DRAW!

[@kchall5]

No SEC teams for two rounds. If they don't knock off SMU and Boise St. they should just be satisfied with permanent mid-tier status.

[@sbrown4556]

I wish we were playing SEC teams. Who wouldn't want a 2-loss or 3-loss opponent?

[@glockensig]

Don't "save" anyone for the next game....turn these players loose!!!!

[@MrEagles9359]

Penn state better at least get to the championship game and hopefully win it because you probably won't ever have it setup easier again.

[@sbrown4556]

Yeah, nothing easier than playing 4 consecutive games against playoff teams. What a lay up!

[@dennisgibble7166]

Teach them to " tackle " first half was pathetic ! 😮

[@edandchristina617]

Is it just me, or does SMU’s offense look very similar in dynamics to Oregon? I watched that Clemson game and the SMU QB can really move and throw that ball, quality WR’s.. PSU defense better figure it out.

[@kdawg2587]

Psu is better than Clemson. Also, SMUs group of receivers are not even close to same quality of Oregon group of receivers!

[@therottenrook]

PSU has the easiest path by a mile...!!!

[@sbrown4556]

Others setting up their excuses already. smh.

[@D2D72]

Easy regular scheduled season, easiest playoff path for Penn State=Watching the National Championship game.

[@arcticfox6808]

This is awesome because neither program has been able to win a huge game since Ronald Reagan was president. Both programs have had MAJOR setbacks, one a death penalty, the other a sex scandal that made their head coach die of grief. Its just wild to see these two be put in a situation where one is forced to finally win a big game outside of the 1980s.

[@sbrown4556]

Wow, you do live in the past. 1980's??

[@fittobetide2277]

I am picking Boise to win it all. Excellent offense and an aggressive defense. PSU will beat SMU but I believe Boise St. will beat them in a shootout. Ga is down this year on offense and defense. They will have their hands full with Boise. Oregon will beat Texas. So, that sets up a rematch between Ore. and Boise St.

[@davidwilliams4498]

Im sure the Fire franklin fans will be mad if he ends up 1 an 16 in big ranked games. Penn st being at home surely is an advantage an 1 thing i dont like is home field in a 12 team format. Though money rules thats how they doing it.

[@rickcaccia3152]

If penn st doesn't get thru these next two games it's Franklin's fault.

[@jamess2293]

When he wins it’s in spite of him, when they lose it’s because of him. Do I have that right?

[@whofan1967]

​@@jamess2293 People need something to complain about, always.

[@sbrown4556]

Yeah and if they do, I'm sure you'll be here complimenting Franklin.

[@johnkolifrath9616]

Psu #1 in 1969

[@johnwesolowski7393]

Cold weather will benefit Penn State, Notre Dame, and Tennessee in the first round. We have the running game and short pass game for cold weather. Indiana and Ohio State need good passing weather. Tennessee is very balanced on offense.

[@RSeaker]

Jeanty vs. PSU LBs and DBs could be an issue.

[@kevinchandler179]

Nope, because that's all they have, and we will stack the box!!! Also, we still have a great defense, and will make adjustments and prepare!!!! WE ARE

[@alienspace3960]

@@kevinchandler179 they have camper transfer wr from indiana at wr caples and lauter their te i could see some play action to their te and wrs