Penn State is off to a hot start this season; not only are they 3-0, but they also have 2 wins over AP Top-25 opponents in No.18 Wisconsin and No.24 Auburn.

In the Week 4 edition of the AP Top-25 poll, Penn State comes in at No.6. The Nittany Lions are still behind one B1G team at the moment in Iowa.

However, one ESPN analyst believes that if the College Football Playoff were to start today, Penn State should be in that 4th spot.

“Penn State, to me, deserves that fourth spot,” said Heather Dinich of ESPN. “Because I don’t see anybody else through three weeks who has a road win vs. a ranked team in Wisconsin and then a huge win against another ranked opponent from the SEC in Auburn.”

In the College Football Playoff committee, not only do teams have to play ranked opponents, but they also have to pass the eye test.

“Plus, with their résumé, you take the eye test,” said Dinich. “Not a lot of teams are passing the eye test right now. Sean Clifford has morphed into version 2.0 of himself. He was insanely good. Jahan Dotson, wide receiver, highlight reels all over the place. Their secondary was tremendous. They look like a contender. Now whether they can keep it up and stay in that spot remains to be seen.”

Penn State has plenty of more opportunities to prove they belong in the top 4 of college football at the end of the year.

The Nittany Lions face four AP Top-25 opponents in the B1G this season, three of which are on the road. The games are at No. 5 Iowa, at No. 10 Ohio State, vs. No. 19 Michigan and at No. 20 Michigan State.

Penn State faces Villanova this week at noon ET on BTN.