As Week 1 gets off and running, the final preseason College Football Playoff national champion picks are on their way. FOX Sports’ Matt Leinart logged his pick Friday, as did the rest of the Big Noon Kickoff crew. Leinart predicted Penn State to bring home the national championship this year. The Nittany Lions are coming […]
As Week 1 gets off and running, the final preseason College Football Playoff national champion picks are on their way. FOX Sports’ Matt Leinart logged his pick Friday, as did the rest of the Big Noon Kickoff crew.
Leinart predicted Penn State to bring home the national championship this year. The Nittany Lions are coming off a CFP semifinal appearance last year, falling to Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl. However, they have some key pieces back on offense – headlined by quarterback Drew Allar and the two-headed monster at running back in Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen.
That continuity, as well as high-profile newcomers, are leading to plenty of buzz around Penn State in 2025. It’s enough for Leinart do pick James Franklin’s group to win it all despite making his prediction in Columbus, home of Ohio State.
“Do I dare say Penn State Nittany Lions in Columbus?” Leinart said in a video posted to X. “But I’m going with Penn State.”
Penn State has the third-shortest odds to win the national championship this year at +600, according to BetMGM. The Nittany Lions trail only Texas and Ohio State – who sit at +450 and +525, respectively. Those two teams will square off Saturday in what could be one of the biggest games of the season.
Meanwhile, Penn State will get things started against Nevada in the 3:30 p.m. ET window. The Nittany Lions were picked to win the Big Ten in the preseason media poll and sit No. 2 in the AP preseason Top 25 between No. 1 Texas and No. 3 Ohio State.
As for the path to the Big Ten Championship, Penn State has three preseason ranked teams on tap. Oregon, Ohio State and Indiana are all on the conference schedule, meaning there will be statement opportunities. Those chances, coupled with the returning pieces, are enough for ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit to pick the Nittany Lions to win the Big Ten this year.
“James Franklin has his best roster he’s ever put together,” Herbstreit said. “An experienced quarterback in Drew Allar, who passed on the NFL. Both of those running backs back.
“Only question: You got to replace Tyler Warren, who was so big in that offense. But, I’m going with Penn State. I think it’s their year to get over the hump and win some of those top-five matchups.”
Category: General Sports
