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Penn State · Big Ten
Penn State · Big TenKirk Herbstreit picks Penn State for 10-2 record, CFP berth
Herbstreit cited Penn State avoiding Ohio State and Oregon, with the Oct. 17 trip to Michigan among the schedule tests.
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The Pate State Wire DeskVerified reporting · full source list below · monitored by an editor
● Confirmed
AUG 29, 2026
AUG 29, 2026
Kirk Herbstreit predicted Penn State will go 10-2 and make the College Football Playoff on *The Pat McAfee Show*.
“I think they go 10-2. I think they're a playoff team.”
Herbstreit cited Penn State avoiding Ohio State and Oregon, while noting road games could be trouble spots. The Nittany Lions' Oct. 17 visit to Michigan is among the confirmed tests on their schedule.
Penn State, 7-6 overall and 3-6 in the Big Ten last season, enters 2026 ranked No. 18 in the AP poll and No. 17 in the Coaches poll. It opens Sept. 5 against Marshall.
Sourcing & standards: Reporting via Yahoo Sports. Produced by the Pate State Wire Desk under the site's verification rules, monitored by an editor. Corrections are timestamped, never silent.