Kirk Herbstreit Names Dark Horse For College Football Playoff

The College Football Playoff became a part of college football at the start of the 2014 season. The Ohio State Buckeyes won the first-ever playoff over the Oregon Ducks.

The sport is changing again, with the playoff moving to a 12-team format. On a recent episode of " The Pat McAfee Show ," Kirk Herbstreit listed some of his dark horse playoff teams ahead of the 2024 season. The first team that he mentioned was the Penn State Nittany Lions.

"In the Big Ten, Penn State, if their quarterback can step up," Herbstreit said. "Drew Allar and Penn State are always a threat. I know people that don't like Penn State will always say that they lose to Ohio State and Michigan, but I think they're better on the perimeter at wide receiver."

The problem with Penn State under James Franklin has been getting over the hump and beating the Ohio State Buckeyes and Michigan Wolverines. The last time that Penn State beat Ohio State was in 2016. The program last beat Michigan in 2020.

Last season, the Nittany Lions won 10 games again with losses to Ohio State, Michigan, and the Ole Miss Rebels.

Players like quarterback Drew Allar, defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton, running backs Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton, and edge rusher Abdul Carter return to Penn State in 2024.

Some significant losses the team suffered via the transfer portal included receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith to the Auburn Tigers and safety King Mack to the Alabama Crimson Tide.

However, the team added former Ohio State WR Julian Fleming, former Wisconsin Badgers tight end Nolan Rucci, former Georgia Bulldogs corner AJ Harris, and former Florida Gators corner Jalen Kimber from the portal.

Penn State opens the 2024 campaign against the West Virginia Mountaineers on Aug. 31.

Related: Kirk Herbstreit Reveals College Football Program 'No One's Talking About' In 2024