Victory Bell Rings
Fansided

Penn State football: 9 most important players to making CFP

By Matt Lombardo

Dec 28, 2019; Arlington, Texas, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin celebrates with wide receiver Jahan Dotson (5) and quarterback Sean Clifford (14) after a touchdown during the second quarter against the Memphis Tigers at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2019; Arlington, Texas, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin celebrates with wide receiver Jahan Dotson (5) and quarterback Sean Clifford (14) after a touchdown during the second quarter against the Memphis Tigers at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 10
Next

Penn State football has a roster capable of making the College Football Playoff in 2020, including nine key players who will play vital roles

Hopes and expectations are high in Happy Valley, and for good reason, as Penn State Football has a roster capable of pushing for the program’s first berth in the College Football Playoff this season.

Head coach James Franklin’s team returns several marquee starters on both sides of the ball that have powered a 42-11 record over the past four seasons, including wins in the Cotton Bowl and Fiesta Bowl over the past three years.

While the defense will miss All-American linebacker Micah Parsons, there are several blue chip prospects poised to take on expanded roles this season, which should allow Franklin and staff to flex their muscles in terms of their ability to develop elite high school prospects at this level.

New Nittany Lions offensive coordinator KIrk Ciarrocca imports a high-powered passing attack, that will be looking for someone to step up at wide receiver, but also has one of the nation’s most talented running back rooms at his disposal to create all kinds of unpredictability and dictate to defenses throughout the season.

Ahead of next Saturday’s season opener against Indiana, scroll through for a look at the nine most important players to Penn State’s push for the College Football Playoff: 

Home/Penn State Football