Penn State football enters Matt Campbell’s first season with a manageable Big Ten schedule, real playoff upside, and one major question that could define the year: are the Nittany Lions good enough up front to beat the teams that matter?

On this Locked On crossover, Zach Seyko and Spencer McLaughlin break down Penn State’s Big Ten outlook, Rocco Becht’s value at quarterback, the offensive line led by names like Cooper Cousins, Malachi Goodman, and Anthony Donkoh, D’Anton Lynn’s defensive front, transfer portal additions, defensive end depth, USC, Michigan, Washington, Minnesota, and the broader College Football Playoff picture.

The schedule helps Penn State, but the season cannot be reduced to the schedule. If the offensive line is as improved as expected and the defensive tackle room takes a step forward, Penn State has a real path to 10 wins and playoff contention. If the pass rush is thin, the margin gets tighter fast.

Penn State fans: what is the bigger question right now — the playoff résumé, the defensive line, or whether this team is being underrated in the Big Ten?

Become an every-dayer! Subscribe to Locked On Nittany Lions on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lockedonnittanylions?sub\_confirmation=1

Everydayer Club

If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

Indeed

Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast

Rugiet

Get 15% off your treatment → https://rugiet.com/lockedonnhl

Rugiet. Performance medicine for men.

FanDuel

Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now new customers can bet just five dollars and get one-hundred and fifty dollars in bonus bets if your first bet wins. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started — Play Your Game.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…

🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LONittanyLions?sid=YouTube

Locked On College Conferences, HBCU, Basketball & More

🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnCollege

Follow the show on X!

https://x.com/LockedOnNittany

https://x.com/zach\_seyko

#lockedonnittanylions #pennstate #nittanylions #pennstatefootball #collegefootball #bigtenfootball #ncaafootball #lockedon #weare #football

0:00 Penn State Is More Than an Easy Schedule

0:45 Rocco Becht, Matt Campbell, and Big Ten Expectations

1:28 Where Penn State Fits Behind Ohio State and Oregon

2:15 USC, Michigan, Washington, and the Second Big Ten Tier

3:15 Penn State’s 10-Win Path and Playoff Résumé Question

4:05 Washington Road Trip and the Big Ten Schedule Debate

5:30 Penn State’s Offensive Line vs. Defensive Line Concern

6:10 Cooper Cousins, Malachi Goodman, and Anthony Donkoh

6:55 Defensive End Depth and D’Anton Lynn’s Pass Rush Problem

7:45 Minnesota as a Trap Spot on Penn State’s Schedule

9:00 Anthony Smith vs. Malachi Goodman Matchup

9:49 Big Ten/SEC Super League Discussion Begins

11:07 Could the Big Ten and SEC Leave the NCAA Structure?

11:48 Why Penn State Would Be Safe in a Super League

13:30 Big 12, ACC, Texas Tech, Miami, and Survival Pressure

14:26 Relegation, Revenue, and the Future of College Football

17:41 College Football Moving Toward an NFL-Style Model

19:52 Could Schools Buy Their Way Into the Super League?

21:00 Final College Football Realignment Takeaway

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.