Penn State & Indiana Are Gaming the System — But It Might Be Smart

Penn State and Indiana are catching heat for their 2025 non-conference schedules — but are these “cupcake” matchups actually the smartest path to the College Football Playoff? Zach Seyko and Jacob Goins go head-to-head in a passionate crossover episode to debate whether soft scheduling helps or hurts playoff chances, especially in the new Big Ten. Plus: which teams in the conference are legit threats, what makes Illinois and Iowa trap games, and why the committee’s recency bias might actually benefit Indiana. It’s a full breakdown of the playoff politics shaping the new era of college football.Become an every-dayer! Subscribe to Locked On Nittany Lions on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lockedonnittanylions?sub\_confirmation=1Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!5-Hour ENERGYTime to fuel up and turn it up with 5-hour ENERGY®️ Transfusion! Go to https://5hourenergy.com today and use my promo code LOCKEDONGOLF to receive 20% off your order. This offer is only valid until September 30th on one order and cannot be used with other promotions. The code is not good on subscription orders.  GametimeToday's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.Monarch MoneyTake control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE at www.monarchmoney.com/lockedoncollege for 50% off your first year.FanDuelRight now, new customers can get ONE HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS when your first FIVE DOLLAR BET WINS! Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of the NBA.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=YouTubeLocked On College Conferences, HBCU, Basketball & More🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnCollegeFollow the show on X!https://x.com/LockedOnNittanyhttps://x.com/zach\_seyko#lockedonnittanylions #pennstate #nittanylions #pennstatefootball #collegefootball #bigtenfootball #ncaafootball #lockedon #footballKey words:penn statepenn state nittany lionspenn state footballpenn state schedulepenn state universitypenn state football schedulepenn state basketballpenn state gamepenn state ohio statepenn state michiganpenn state wrestlingpenn state scorepenn state newspenn state rosterpenn state football newspenn state football gamecollege footballpenn state recruitingpenn state football recruitingpenn state football todaypsu footballjames franklinandy kotelnickijim knowlesdrew allarmike rhoadescael sandersonjames franklin press conferencemike rhoades press conferencecael sanderson press conferenceRemember to subscribe... https://www.youtube.com/@lockedonnittanylions?sub\_confirmation=100:00 – Intro01:30 – Penn State & Indiana’s Schedules: Smart or Shameful?03:00 – Cignetti Canceling Virginia Series: Justified or Soft?06:00 – Franklin’s Scheduling Philosophy09:10 – Sponsor Read10:15 – Big Ten vs SEC: The 8 vs 9 Conference Game Debate13:30 – Indiana vs Illinois = Trap Game of the Year?17:00 – Oregon, Iowa, Ohio State: PSU’s Late-Season Gauntlet20:30 – Could Recency Bias Help Indiana if They Get Hot?24:15 – Worst-Case Scenario: What if Indiana Starts 3–3?27:30 – Final Thoughts: Penn State's Playoff Floor is 10–2 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.