In his podcast, Colin Cowherd recently made bold claims about Penn State’s future that could elevate the hype surrounding the team to new heights.
With a favorable early schedule and a pivotal White Out clash ahead, the Nittany Lions are positioned to either validate Cowherd’s prediction or crumble under the weight of heightened expectations.
Cowherd’s Championship Prediction
In his podcast, Cowherd declared that when it comes to the National Championship, “Penn State’s going to win it.” This bold prediction positions James Franklin’s squad as a potential 2025 national championship favorite.
Cowherd’s confidence stems from Penn State’s impressive talent collection. “I got Penn State winning it,” he said. “Singleton’s amazing, Drew Allar’s getting better. I think they’re the best backfield by a mile in college football.”
The dynamic combination of running back Kaytron Allen and quarterback Drew Allar provides the foundation for this optimism, with Allar’s developing passing skills complementing Allen’s powerful rushing attack.
Drawing a comparison to recent championship success, Cowherd referenced the Kansas City Chiefs, who “got beat in like week 16” yet captured the Super Bowl. For him, Penn State’s backfield talent and overall potential make them the team to beat in a competitive Big Ten conference.
The White Out Test
Penn State’s championship path begins with three manageable non-conference games where they’re expected to be heavy favorites. However, the season’s defining moment arrives Sept. 27 when Oregon visits Beaver Stadium for the White Out, a rematch of last year’s Big Ten title game that the Ducks won.
On3’s Andy Staples calls it a “pivot point” game, writing, “This is the type of team Oregon will have to beat once in the CFP. The same goes for Penn State, but probably with more urgency.” Victory could launch the Nittany Lions toward a national title run, while defeat might derail their season before challenging road games at Iowa and Ohio State, plus a home matchup against Indiana.
Staples acknowledges Penn State’s semifinal appearance last season, where they defeated SMU and Boise State, but emphasizes the necessity of beating elite competition. Oregon remains formidable despite replacing first-round draft picks on the offensive line and losing a veteran quarterback, making this matchup a crucial benchmark for Franklin’s program.
Cowherd’s championship prediction will undoubtedly energize Happy Valley, but it also creates pressure. With Allar maturing and Allen dominating, the Nittany Lions possess the talent to justify the hype.
The White Out against Oregon will serve as the ultimate test. A statement victory could establish Penn State as legitimate national title contenders, fulfilling Cowherd’s bold vision for the program.
