Penn State Is Closer Than Ohio State to Winning a National Title—Could These Rivals Clash Three Times in One Season?

The 2025 college football season looms with anticipation, and few matchups stir more intrigue than Penn State vs. Ohio State. But this year, the storyline goes beyond bragging rights and Big Ten dominance. There’s a bold question in the air: Is Penn State now closer to winning a national championship than Ohio State? And could these powerhouses possibly meet three times before the final whistle of the season?

While Ohio State has long held the upper hand in this rivalry—winning 11 of the last 12 meetings—the gap is no longer what it used to be. The Nittany Lions are building something different in Happy Valley, and it’s not just hype. Behind the scenes, James Franklin and his staff have quietly assembled the deepest and most talented roster Penn State has seen in decades. And for the first time in the College Football Playoff era, it feels like Penn State has not only closed the gap on the Buckeyes, but perhaps even surpassed them in national championship viability.

Let’s start with the talent. Penn State’s 2022 and 2023 recruiting classes laid the foundation, but it’s the development of that talent that truly sets them apart. Quarterback Drew Allar returns with experience and a full arsenal of weapons. The offensive line, once a sore spot, is now a strength—led by projected first-round tackles and a veteran interior. The run game is elite, with Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen arguably forming the best backfield duo in the nation. But it’s not just about stars—it’s about depth. Penn State can rotate in second and third-stringers who would start at most Power Five programs.

Defensively, the Nittany Lions boast a relentless front seven anchored by Abdul Carter, who’s been compared to Micah Parsons for good reason. Their secondary is fast, physical, and opportunistic. Under new defensive coordinator Tom Allen, the unit is expected to play faster and take more risks—a perfect complement to a high-powered offense that can capitalize on short fields.

Contrast that with Ohio State. Yes, the Buckeyes are loaded with talent, and Ryan Day has recruited well. But they face more uncertainty, particularly at quarterback. After several years of elite QB play from C.J. Stroud and Justin Fields, the Buckeyes enter 2025 still undecided on who will lead their offense. Will it be the more experienced but inconsistent Lincoln Kienholz, or a breakout performance from a younger, less proven signal-caller? Either way, there’s no clear heir to the dominant QB play Ohio State fans are used to.

In addition, while the Buckeyes bring in high-profile names via the transfer portal—most notably former Alabama offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor and Ole Miss running back Quinshon Judkins—the cohesion of the roster remains in question. Chemistry and continuity are often what separates good teams from great ones, especially late in the season. Ohio State is also transitioning on defense with new faces up front and in the back seven. Jim Knowles returns as coordinator, but his unit was exposed in key moments last season—including losses to Michigan and in the CFP semifinal.

What makes Penn State’s outlook especially promising in 2025 is the favorable combination of experience, coaching continuity, and a manageable schedule. The Nittany Lions avoid Oregon during the regular season, get Ohio State at home in a whiteout environment, and will face Michigan late in the season—a game that could be for the No. 1 seed in the Big Ten’s new format.

That new format is where things get really interesting.

With the Big Ten scrapping divisions in 2024, the top two teams will face off in the Big Ten Championship Game. And given preseason expectations, it’s entirely plausible that Penn State and Ohio State could meet in Columbus during the regular season, again in Indianapolis for the Big Ten title, and potentially once more in the College Football Playoff. A three-game trilogy between these giants isn’t just wishful thinking—it’s very much in play.

Scenario one: Penn State beats Ohio State in October, but both teams run the table otherwise and meet again in the Big Ten title game. Scenario two: They split the season series—each winning once—and both earn spots in the 12-team CFP. If the bracket breaks right, they could square off a third time in a semifinal or, incredibly, the national championship itself.

It wouldn’t be the first time college football saw familiar foes meet more than once in a season. Alabama and Georgia did it in 2021, facing off in both the SEC title game and the national championship. But a three-game rivalry war? That would be historic.

And it’s possible because of the new playoff format. The expanded CFP opens the door for multiple teams from the same conference to not only make the field, but advance deep. That benefits the Big Ten immensely, particularly in a year where USC and UCLA are still finding their footing, and Michigan appears to be resetting after the Jim Harbaugh era.

Ohio State still has elite talent. Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka returns as one of the nation’s top pass-catchers, and their defense, while inconsistent, flashes game-changing potential. But they’re in transition. Meanwhile, Penn State is settled, surging, and more unified than ever.

James Franklin has long fought the narrative that he can’t win the “big one.” This might be the year he changes that forever. He’s been meticulous in program-building, elevating recruiting, facilities, and staff. Now, with the right quarterback, an elite defense, and a more accessible path to the playoff, he finally has everything in place to deliver.

For Penn State fans, the optimism is more than just preseason chatter. There’s a confidence in the program that hasn’t been felt since the 1980s. The 2016 Big Ten title run was a breakthrough, but this team feels different. It’s not about exceeding expectations—it’s about meeting them, and doing so with championship ambitions.

The rivalry with Ohio State will always be central to Penn State’s fate, but for the first time in a long time, the Nittany Lions might be in the driver’s seat. Their ceiling is higher, their foundation is firmer, and their path is clearer. Of course, in college football, nothing is guaranteed—especially in a conference as unforgiving as the Big Ten.

Still, the road to the national title might just run through Happy Valley.

The college football world is watching. The Nittany Lions and Buckeyes are on a collision course, possibly not once, not twice, but three times. The stakes? Everything. Conference glory, playoff survival, and national championship dreams.

Get ready. This isn’t just a rivalry anymore. It’s a race to the mountaintop. And right now, Penn State might be one step ahead.