The expansion of the College Football Playoff (CFP) to 12 teams has heightened expectations for programs like Penn State, which is currently projected to secure a spot in the playoffs after a strong start to the season. Analysts suggest that a No. 5 seed could provide the best path for the Nittany Lions, allowing them a home game against a lower-tier team before facing a potentially less daunting opponent in the quarterfinals. Meanwhile, Michigan is preparing for its toughest nonconference challenge in years against Texas, entering as an underdog for the first time since 2022. The CFP's new format is expected to generate substantial revenue, with projections estimating a $1.3 billion payout for this year's playoff compared to $400 million last year. However, there are concerns regarding whether the best team will actually win, as the unpredictability of the tournament format may lead to unexpected outcomes. The viability of the expanded playoff format will depend on audience engagement, which may vary given the inclusion of teams with smaller fan bases.