All eyes will be on the Penn State Nittany Lions as the 2025 college football season. They potentially could be the third different team from the BIG10 Conference to win the national title in three seasons.
The Ohio State Buckeyes won it all last season, and the Michigan Wolverines won it the season before. Penn State will have a lot of things going in their favor as the 2025 season begins. Quarterback Drew Allar returns and so does other key parts of this roster. A major question about the Nittany Lions will be can they win the national title with James Franklin as its head coach.
College Football Analyst Has Penn State Nittany Lions Ranked #1 In Power Rankings Despite Questions About James Franklin
Joel Klatt of Fox Sports created his Top 25 college football rankings before the 2025 college football season begins. Games begin later this month. It is interesting that he has Penn State as the number one team in the country before the 2025 college football season kicks off. Despite having the Nittany Lions ranked this high, he likes what he sees with them roster wise but does have questions about Franklin.
“The Nittany Lions still have the No. 1 spot that I gave them in my post-spring rankings. I’m huge on blueprints, and I think Penn State best resembles the blueprints Michigan and Ohio State had when they won the national championship over the past two years. That blueprint is an experienced team with an experienced quarterback and a lot of guys who return rather than becoming an early-round pick in the NFL Draft. Just like those Michigan and Ohio State teams, those players are looking to rebound from a tough loss in the previous season.
Alongside quarterback Drew Allar, running backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen, four offensive linemen and defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton are among the group of players returning. Offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki is in Year 2 and doesn’t need to establish an offensive system. Knowles was a great replacement at defensive coordinator after Allen left.
PSU brought in three wide receivers via the portal as well to address its biggest hole last year. USC’s Kyron Hudson, Syracuse’s Trebor Pena (All-ACC slot receiver) and Troy‘s Devonte Ross (All-Sun Belt) should all be solid pass catchers for quarterback Drew Allar. The big question is if coach James Franklin can beat a top-five opponent. Penn State has games against Ohio State, Oregon and possibly the Big Ten title game and the CFP. Whether Penn State and Franklin can match up with those teams will continue to persist until it wins one of those games.”
There is no doubt that the Oregon game and the Ohio State game is going to go a long way in where Penn State could potentially be seeded in the 2025 college football playoffs. The Nittany Lions will also have to face the Indiana Hoosiers in the BIG10 Conference schedule as well. Penn State has the talent to win the national title in 2025.
It is going to be another thing if Franklin can get his team that far. The Nittany Lions made it to the college football semifinals last season before losing to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Penn State did take positive steps in the right direction last season. Another thing is that the Nittany Lions also lost to the Ducks in the BIG10 title game.
Penn State finished with an 11-1 record during the 2024 season. They should finish with an 11-1 or a 12-0 record during the regular season if they are an elite team. Franklin has always struggled against Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day in his career. It is time for Penn State to change some of that narrative and make another deep run in the postseason.
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