College Football: Best case and worst case scenarios for 15 top team

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 09: Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers looks on before taking on the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

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Penn State

Best Case

Penn State took America by surprise in 2016 and the had some luck along the way. In 2017 that luck returns. While being inconsistent at times throughout the early part of the 2017 season, the Nittany Lions recapture the magic from a year ago. In back to back weeks, Penn State uses a late field goal vs. Michigan and a late turnover to jump into the Big Ten east division lead for good. Saquon Barkley becomes the first Nittany Lion to finish in the top 10 of the Heisman voting since 2005. The storybook sequel comes to an end in the Sugar Bowl as Alabama outclasses the Nittany Lions with a 42-28 victory.

Worst Case

Penn State falls victim to expectations and the perils that come with being a conference favorite. An early season loss vs. Pitt compounded by a three game losing streak midseason puts the Nittany Lions in danger of missing a bowl game. James Franklin manages to get the squad to a bowl game, but it’s clear that playing in the Pinstripe or Music City Bowl is far from what PSU supporters wanted this season.

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