Doomsday scenario where Penn State football, James Franklin miss CFP revealed by insider

It's only May, but the anticipation toward the College Football Playoff and the season is beginning to amp up. With the built-in hype, pundits are starting to figure out which teams may be legit and which might not be.

One of those that's a near lock to be legit is Penn State. The Nittany Lions pushed themselves to the brink of a national title berth before losing to Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl. With most of its key starters returning, including quarterback Drew Allar, the Nittany Lions seem poised to make another run toward a possible national title berth.

CBS Sports' Tom Fornelli wrote Monday that although he likes the depth of what the conference has coming back, a near-perfect season may not be enough.

"The 2025 schedule includes two "big ones" in Oregon and Ohio State," Fornelli wrote. "If those games play to the usual result, that means the Nittany Lions need to be perfect in their other 10 games. They can pull that off, but if they lose those two and then slip up in a game against Iowa, Nebraska or Indiana? I don't think 9-3 with that schedule will be enough."

Therefore, if the Nittany Lions handle their business the way they should, a 9-3 scenario won't be an issue.

Fornelli said he is still skeptical of coach James Franklin's postseason abilities, citing a weaker College Football Playoff path last season.

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"The problem is Penn State's inability to "win the big one," Fornelli wrote.

If it can get over the hump and beat Ohio State or Oregon, many of these labels will be put to rest.

Now, it's up to Penn State to prove it can, starting in August.

Penn State opens its season with Nevada and Villanova at home before beginning Big Ten play with a road game against a new-look UCLA Bruins team.