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Does Penn State have a chance to win it all next year? Here's what the oddsmakers say

Greg Pickelby:Greg Pickel•about 11 hours•

GregPickel

NCAA Football: Orange Bowl-Notre Dame at Penn State
Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) looks to pass in the second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. (Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

Penn State and its fans are still licking their collective wounds following a College Football Playoff semifinal exit at the hands of Notre Dame. The Nittany Lions led at halftime and had a lead with 7:55 to go that they ultimately could not hold. The Fighting Irish won 27-24 on Mitch Jeter’s late 41-yard field goal to advance to this year’s title game. There, they will meet Ohio State. The Buckeyes are a heavy favorite. Oddsmakers currently line them as a 9.5-point favorite.

It goes without saying that ‘Nittany Nation’ will not be racing to watch the final game of the season since it’s impossible for their preference of both teams losing to happen. But, time heals all wounds, and eventually, the fan base’s focus will turn to next season as the team’s will. With that in mind, FanDuel already has 2026 national championship odds out. And, while many Nittany Lion fans don’t think the team can run it back next year and make the Playoff or maybe even win it all, the oddsmakers do.

FanDuel makes Penn State the fifth favorite to win its first CFP title next season. You can currently get odds of 9-to-1 (a $100 bet would win $900) for that to be the case. Unsurprisingly, the Buckeyes lead the way at odds of 4.4-to-1. Head coach Ryan Day’s team is followed by Oregon (6-to-1), Texas (6.5-to-1), and Georgia (6.5-to-1). Every other team has odds of 10-to-1 or greater.

Two good reminders for Penn State fans

It goes without saying that these are ridiculously early numbers, and lots can and will change. Penn State, Ohio State, Notre Dame, and Texas are all still waiting on stay-or-go decisions that will impact their rosters for next year. So, it’s a good reminder that the odds can and will change. But, as many Nittany Lions fans continue doom and gloom season, it’s also a reminder that many are still high on where the program is and believe it will be ready to roll again next season.

With Tyler Warren and Abdul Carter both gone, new stars will be needed. What the running backs decide to do will be key, too. All told though, the talent is there for Penn State to continue climbing. The schedule will be more difficult, in all likelihood. But that’s another thing that cannot fully be accessed until after both the coaching carousel and the transfer portal stop spinning.

Penn State opens the 2025 season opposite Nevada on Sat., Aug. 30. A kickoff time is not yet out.

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