Penn State Firmly In The Driver's Seat For Each Game The Remainder Of The Season

It is critically important not to be a prisoner of the moment and to not overreact to one performance. However, that is really hard to do after how good Penn State looked last Saturday against the Marshall Thundering Herd.

Marshall wasn't the strongest opponent that the Nittany Lions could have faced in week one, but it didn't matter. Penn State wiped the floor with them for four straight hours on Saturday afternoon.

They did everything that they wanted. They ran the football, had a potent passing attack, and played stout defense; they caused turnovers, won the special teams game, and looked like a complete team.

This isn't an indication of what they will be in the weeks to come, but it was sure good to see.

Then again, maybe it is an indication of what is to come. At least ESPN thinks so. 

According to ESPN's FPI, Football Power Index, the Nittany Lions are favored to win every single one of the rest of their football games.

In most cases, they are the favorites, but in all cases, the ledger tips their way. They have more than a 90 percent chance of winning against Temple, Buffalo, Purdue, and Rutgers.

They have at least an 80 percent chance against Wisconsin, Northwestern, Minnesota, and Maryland. They are 60 percent favorites over USC and Washington, only to be followed by having a 54 percent chance to beat the Michigan Wolverines.

Penn State chances to win each remaining game according to ESPN FPI

1. @ Temple 94.2%
2. Vs Buffalo 98.1%
3. Vs Wisconsin 87.7%
4. Vs Northwestern 82.1%
5. Vs USC 61.8%
6. @ Michigan 56.4%
7. Vs Purdue 93.1
8. @ Washington 60.4%
9. Vs Minnesota 89.7%
10. Vs Rutgers 96.2%
11. @… pic.twitter.com/5li7XQPpnt

— PSU Recruiting (@PSUNationRec) September 8, 2026

It is absolutely not hyperbole to say that this team will finish the season in the College Football Playoff.

It will definitely not be easy to accomplish, but relatively speaking, they have one of the easiest roads to the Playoffs in the entire country. The most worrisome stretch is the four-week segment that features USC, Michigan, Purdue, and Washington. 

The trips to the Big House and to the Upper Northwest will be both a litmus test on how good the Nittany Lions actually are and will pave the way for the Playoff appearance.

If they get two wins over that four-game stretch, they are going to be fighting for a spot. If they get three wins, they will be a Playoff team, and if they go 4-0, this is a top-5-ranked team in the country fighting for a first-round bye.

The schedule fell as well as it possibly could have for the Nittany Lions, which is setting them up for what should be a very fun year. If they take care of business where they are supposed to, they are going to very much so be in the postseason conversation.