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Penn State has the look of a College Football Playoff team

By Patrick Schmidt

EAST LANSING, MI - OCTOBER 26: Tight end Pat Freiermuth #87 celebrates his touchdown with Michal Menet #62 and Justin Shorter #6 of the Penn State Nittany Lions as Shakur Brown #29 and Joe Bachie #35 of the Michigan State Spartans walk away during the first half at Spartan Stadium on October 26, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - OCTOBER 26: Tight end Pat Freiermuth #87 celebrates his touchdown with Michal Menet #62 and Justin Shorter #6 of the Penn State Nittany Lions as Shakur Brown #29 and Joe Bachie #35 of the Michigan State Spartans walk away during the first half at Spartan Stadium on October 26, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /
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The Penn State Nittany Lions have the look of a team that could make the College Football Playoff but work remains before that can happen.

Penn State was crowned as Michigan state champions after knocking off Michigan State and Michigan in consecutive weeks. The Nittany Lions improved to 8-0 on the year with another dominating defensive performance and a balanced offensive attack. Penn State still has its toughest test awaiting with a trip to Ohio State looming in November but the Nittany Lions have the look of a team that could be bound for a playoff berth.

If Penn State runs the table and wins the Big Ten, it’s a certainty they’ll be in the four-team playoff for the first time in program history. The defense is one of the top units in the nation with only Ohio State perhaps possessing a tougher unit to score on. Sean Clifford isn’t going to be confused for Joe Burrow anytime soon but he’s been a steady performer under center. The connection and chemistry he’s shown with K.J. Hamler have resulted in the duo is one of the better ones in the Big Ten.

But what makes this team a playoff threat is the defense. If they get in, it’ll be as a result of the defense that slowed down Justin Fields, J.K. Dobbins and the speedy Ohio State Buckeyes enough to get in. The offense isn’t going to keep opposing defensive coordinators up at night like he was playing Oklahoma, LSU or Alabama. But the defense is sure to cause some sleepless nights for opposing offensive coordinators and quarterbacks.

Penn State forced three turnovers in the win against Michigan State, which admittedly, isn’t the best barometer to determine defensive dominance. The Spartans are an anemic offensive team that has struggled to move the ball and put up points all year. But this is the type of performance you expect to see from elite units against sub-standard ones. They were expected to blowout Michigan State and they did.

If the season ended today, I would have Penn State in my top four teams based on the on-field results so far. Preseason rankings have a way of skewing these rankings and projections. Penn State has played better than Clemson all year but will be ranked below them because of where they started in the preseason rankings. Penn State has played tougher opponents than Alabama but the Crimson Tide will remain ranked ahead of them.

I don’t think anyone will strongly object to that. But when the College Football Playoff rankings come out in two weeks, don’t be surprised to see Penn State knocking on the door of the top four. And don’t be surprised if they end up knocking off Ohio State and sticking in the playoff after winning the Big Ten.

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