OPINION: Penn State football fans need to savor incredible CFP run

It seems like forever ago, but back in August, Penn State football fans were excited about the start of a new season. Expectations were high, but the more realistic fans out there probably did not think the Nittany Lions would be where they are now.

Sure, a berth in the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff was certainly in the cards. But to be one of college football’s last four teams standing? Not many in Nittany Nation thought it would happen.

The 2024 edition of Penn State football has faced challenges and emerged battle-tested. The team came back at USC to beat the Trojans in overtime. After Drew Allar suffered an injury at Wisconsin, Beau Pribula led the comeback win. The offense—and special teams—made three fourth-down conversions to run out the clock to preserve a one-point victory at Minnesota.

If any of those games had resulted in a loss, the Nittany Lions likely would not have made the playoff. But now, Penn State football is closer to a national title than it has been in 30 years. With how unprecedented this last month has been, Nittany Lions fans everywhere should take a moment to appreciate this incredible playoff run.

Savor Penn State football’s 2024 CFP run: Greatness does not come around often

© Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

If you can, bear with me as this geriatric millennial reminisces for a moment: I was not yet born for Penn State’s first National Championship in 1982. I was too young to remember the second four years later.

My earliest Penn State football memories are of my dad being ecstatic over the Lions’ upset of then-top-ranked Notre Dame in 1990. I would attend my first Penn State football game the following season, a 51-6 pasting of West Virginia. I have bled Blue and White ever since.

The 1994 team was certainly the closest the program has come to winning a national title during my fandom. While there have been a few other teams that have brushed with greatness since, that 1994 squad was special. Stacked with future NFL stars and with an offense that could score on anyone, there’s doubt in any Penn Stater’s mind that, if given the chance, that team would have beat Nebraska on the field to win the National Championship.

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All of this reminiscing to say, fans need to pause and reflect on how rare this moment is for Penn State football. This 2024 team appears to be special. The defense terrorizes its opponents and is one of the best in the sport. The offense is led by three of the best players in the country in Tyler Warren, Nicholas Singleton, and Kaytron Allen. The offensive line is perhaps the best the unit has been under James Franklin. And despite all his detractors, Drew Allar has taken a huge leap forward this season and is a solid quarterback.

Whether or not the Nittany Lions have enough to win it all remains to be seen. Of the four remaining teams, Penn State has the worst odds to win the title. But no matter what happens on Thursday against Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl, this has been an exciting and fun run to the Final Four.

So, Nittany Nation: Let’s take a moment this week to savor what this playoff run has become. After all, you just never know when the next one will come along.

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