By Cory Giger

sports@altoonamirror.com

When the College Football Playoff expands to 12 teams beginning next year, there’s no program or coach in the country that stand to benefit more than Penn State and James Franklin.

That’s not me being a homer. Because, you know, everybody knows I’m just a Penn State homer. Wink, wink!

When the Nittany Lions beat Michigan State on Friday, they’ll finish the regular season 10-2 and will be ranked in the top 12 by the College Football Playoff committee. They’re currently sitting at No. 11.

This year, then, will mark the sixth time in eight seasons that PSU will finish in the top 12 of the CFP rankings. So, obviously, had there been a 12-team playoff in existence all this time, the Lions would be making it for the sixth time in eight years.

Compare that to the fact that Penn State has never made the playoff under the current four-team model, and you can see the huge difference.

We judge everything Penn State — and Franklin — based on how the program fares against Ohio State and Michigan. And losing to those two teams has generally been a big part of why PSU has yet to make a playoff (along with the Pitt loss in 2016 that really doomed the Lions, who went on to become Big Ten champs but had two losses).

But a couple of things are happening starting next season that should really help Penn State.

First, the playoff expanding to 12 teams makes it highly likely that PSU can get into the field at least 6-7 times a decade. Given all of their advantages — resources, tradition, huge stadium, fan base — there is no reason to believe the Lions can’t remain a top 12 caliber program.

Additionally, starting next season, Penn State will not be playing both Ohio State and Michigan every year. So, even if the Lions lose to whichever one they do play, they also can afford to lose one more game and still should finish in the top 12 most years.

Like Neil, I’m looking forward to seeing the Pac-12 teams joins the Big Ten because it’s just flat out cool to be seeing some different competition with new story lines. But I also believe those Pac-12 teams are going to have serious issues facing the more rugged, physical competition week in and week out in the Big Ten.

And let’s face it, facing any of those four teams will be easier in most years than having to face both Ohio State and Michigan. Even traditional powers such as USC and Oregon should be more beatable than the Buckeyes and Wolverines.

So, if we’re looking for something to be excited about in the future, just knowing that Penn State should always have a clear and easier path to the playoff means that the program not only can remain prominent, but perhaps even finally take the next step to being considered elite.

Of course, just making the playoff won’t be enough over time, because Franklin and the Lions will still have to prove they can win some games in it. But having a seat at the table means there will always be a chance for something special to happen.

All Penn State fans should be thankful for that possibility.

Cory Giger covers Penn State for DK Pittsburgh Sports and hosts “Sports Central” weekdays from 4 to 5 p.m. on 96.1 Hank FM.