Somebody Bet $200,000 on Penn State to Win it All

By Kevin Kinkead

Published: Jul 23rd, 2025 · 12:33 PM EDT

Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

Our friends at BetMGM sent over some notable college football bets. Individuals have put up:

$300,000 to win $1,500,000 on Texas to win the College Football Playoff (+500)
$200,000 to win $1,500,000 on Penn State to win the College Football Playoff (+750)
$115,000 to win $1,495,000 on Clemson to win the College Football Playoff (+1300)

Some say you’d be better off lighting your money on fire, considering the fact that James Franklin is still in charge.

BUT – as previously litigated, PSU didn’t lose to Notre Dame because of James Franklin. No, they lost because Drew Allar didn’t complete a pass to a receiver. He missed Nick Singleton on a third down that resulted in a field goal instead of a touchdown. He missed Singleton on a sideline throw that would have gone for 50+ and then the game ironically ended on Allar throwing a lateral pass into the seats.

You could argue that Franklin owns partial blame since he recruited the receivers that Allar couldn’t throw the ball to, but the bottom line is that if the QB makes 2-3 more plays in that game, they’re in the Natty and playing for the title. Abdul Carter was also held on every other play.

Anyway, Carter is gone, Tyler Warren is gone, and so are Kevin Winston Jr., Jaylen Reed, and Kobe King. Omari Evans and Harrison Wallace transferred. They added a bunch of pass catchers in the transfer portal, but there’s no existing chemistry obviously and it’s hard to say how they’re going to acclimate. They do have both Singleton and Kaytron Allen returning, and Khalil Dinkins and Luke Reynolds step in at tight end. There are four returning starters on the offensive line, but enough question marks to consider.

More than any of that, it’s Penn State. They always find a way to have a great season, but come up just short. They have a cakewalk in the non-conference, but open Big 10 play with Oregon at home and have Ohio State on the road. The schedule isn’t murderer’s row, but the playoff path isn’t going to include SMU and Boise this year.

You know what I’d do with the $200,000? I’ll tell you what I’d do, man. Give it to the soup kitchen. Or just donate it to the NIL fund. Or, better yet, spend it on NJ casino apps or online slots!

And for the PA people on here, I’ve got bonus codes for you:

WE ARE! Going to let everyone down again this season.

Kevin Kinkead

Kevin has been writing about Philadelphia sports since 2009. He spent seven years in the CBS 3 sports department and started with the Union during the team's 2010 inaugural season. He went to the academic powerhouses of Boyertown High School and West Virginia University. email - k.kinkead@sportradar.com