DESERVED: Curt Cignetti BLASTS the SEC + Big Ten Media Are BUYING Penn State!

Curt Cignetti took direct aim at the SEC during Big Ten Media Days, and his comments immediately reignited the Big Ten-versus-SEC debate. Locked On Hoosiers host Jacob Goins joins the show from Chicago to discuss Cignetti’s message, Matt Campbell’s first Big Ten Media Days appearance and why people around the conference are buying Penn State football as a College Football Playoff contender in 2026. The conversation covers Cignetti’s emergence as a voice for the Big Ten, the SEC’s move to a nine-game conference schedule, Matt Campbell’s restrained podium performance and the outside perception of his first Penn State team. Zach and Jacob also examine Penn State’s retained roster, the players who followed Campbell from Iowa State, the favorable 2026 schedule, the key games against USC and Michigan and whether the Nittany Lions could realistically finish 10-2, 11-1 or even make an undefeated run. Penn State has a legitimate path to the College Football Playoff, but that path creates another question: Will the Nittany Lions be prepared to defeat an elite opponent after avoiding Oregon, Ohio State and Indiana during the regular season? The episode also examines Oregon’s status as the Big Ten favorite, the pressure facing USC and where Penn State belongs in the conference hierarchy. Do you believe Penn State is a real Big Ten and playoff contender in Matt Campbell’s first season, or is the favorable schedule creating too much optimism? Leave your record prediction and the game that concerns you most. Photo credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect Become an every-dayer! Subscribe to Locked On Nittany Lions on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LockedOnNittanyLions?sub_confirmation=1 Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! KALSHI For a limited time, Download the Kalshi app and use code [LOCKEDON] to get up to $500 in bonus credits when you trade $25. The Game Don't miss this chance to celebrate 40 years of The Game with 40% off your entire order. Visit https://TheGameCaps.com and use promo code LOCKEDON at checkout. Wayfair Patio season is here and these deals won’t last! Head to https://wayfair.com right now to get your outdoor space ready for way less. Wayfair. Every style. Every home. Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast Gametime Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply. FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COM to play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitting a homer this MLB season. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms… 🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LONittanyLions?sid=YouTube Locked On College Conferences, HBCU, Basketball & More 🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnCollege Follow the show on X!https://x.com/LockedOnNittanyhttps://x.com/zach_seyko #lockedonnittanylions #pennstate #nittanylions #pennstatefootball #collegefootball #bigtenfootball #ncaafootball #lockedon #weare #football 0:00 Intro 1:00 Curt Cignetti Calls Out the SEC 2:35 Why Cignetti Is Becoming the Big Ten’s Voice 5:00 Big Ten vs. SEC Schedule Debate 7:09 Matt Campbell Preview and Sponsor Break 12:14 Honest Matt Campbell Media Days Assessment 14:12 Penn State’s Realistic 2026 Ceiling 15:19 Could Penn State Be Exposed in the Playoff? 16:58 Big Ten Teams to Buy or Sell 18:25 Oregon, Ohio State, Indiana and USC Outlook 19:21 Final Big Ten Media Days Takeaways Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.