Penn State’s Rise to Big Ten Supremacy: Why 2025 Could Finally Be the Year the Nittany Lions Conquer the Conference
For the first time in its storied football history, Penn State is widely viewed as the favorite to win the Big Ten conference — and that fact alone signifies just how far the program has come under head coach James Franklin. What was once a team consistently trying to close the gap between itself and traditional powerhouses like Ohio State and Michigan is now sitting at the top of preseason predictions. But being the favorite and finishing as the champion are two different tasks. The 2025 season is set to be the most defining one for Penn State football in decades.
The optimism starts with an elite roster built through consistent recruiting and player development. Quarterback Drew Allar, who enters the 2025 season as a fourth-year junior, has blossomed into one of the nation’s most complete signal-callers. After a 2024 campaign that saw him throw for over 3,500 yards and 30 touchdowns, Allar has become the face of the program and a legitimate Heisman candidate. His size, arm strength, and improved decision-making in clutch situations have transformed Penn State’s offense from one-dimensional to one of the most feared units in the country.
Aiding Allar’s rise has been a receiving corps that has finally caught up to the program’s defensive prowess. Wide receivers KeAndre Lambert-Smith and five-star sophomore Malachi Williams give the Nittany Lions explosive options downfield, while tight end Tyler Warren provides a reliable target in the red zone. The offensive line — long considered a weak point in past seasons — is now a strength, anchored by projected first-round left tackle J.B. Nelson and a veteran group with over 100 combined starts.
Complementing the aerial attack is a devastating backfield tandem. Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen return as the best one-two punch in the nation. Both backs rushed for over 1,000 yards last season, with Singleton adding 15 touchdowns and Allen contributing as a dual-threat option out of the backfield. Their ability to control the tempo of games, convert on third downs, and take pressure off Allar has been crucial to Penn State’s rise.
Yet for all the attention the offense commands, it’s the defense that truly separates Penn State from the rest of the Big Ten. Under new defensive coordinator Anthony Poindexter — promoted after Manny Diaz departed for a head coaching opportunity — the Nittany Lions retained their aggressive identity while tightening up their schemes. The defensive front is led by edge rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton, a former five-star prospect who racked up 12.5 sacks last season and is considered a top-10 NFL Draft prospect. On the interior, Zane Durant and Coziah Izzard form a wall against the run, allowing linebackers Abdul Carter and Tony Rojas to fly around the field.
Carter, in particular, is the heart and soul of the defense. A finalist for the Butkus Award in 2024, he returns as a junior with eyes set on cementing his legacy. His sideline-to-sideline range, ability to blitz, and leadership presence make him the best linebacker in the conference. The secondary, though young, is immensely talented. Sophomore KJ Winston Jr. and freshman phenom Jalen Matthews have shown the ability to cover elite wideouts and make game-changing plays in the back end.
The strength of the roster is matched only by the unity and discipline Franklin has instilled. Over the past three years, Penn State has built a culture centered around toughness, preparation, and execution. Gone are the days when the team would falter against top-tier opponents. In 2024, Penn State went undefeated in conference play, including statement wins over both Michigan and Ohio State — a feat that reshaped the perception of the program and turned Happy Valley into a legitimate national championship contender.
Franklin deserves significant credit for this turnaround. Entering his 12th season as head coach, he’s weathered intense criticism and pressure, often accused of not being able to win the “big game.” But those criticisms faded after last season’s dominant performances. His ability to hire and retain elite assistants, identify under-recruited talent, and build depth at every position has paid off in a massive way. In 2025, he has his most complete team yet — and perhaps the best in school history.
The path to a Big Ten title, however, won’t be without obstacles. Despite Michigan undergoing a coaching transition following Jim Harbaugh’s move back to the NFL, the Wolverines remain loaded with four- and five-star talent, particularly on defense. Ohio State, though reeling from recent quarterback inconsistency, still boasts elite weapons at wide receiver and a defense that can win games on its own. And now, with the Big Ten’s expanded format including USC, Oregon, Washington, and UCLA, the margin for error has decreased.
Penn State’s 2025 schedule is challenging but manageable. The team avoids a road trip to Oregon and gets both Ohio State and USC at home in front of what will surely be frenzied Beaver Stadium crowds. The late October matchup against Michigan in Ann Arbor could ultimately decide who plays in the Big Ten Championship Game, but Penn State has proven it can win in hostile environments. If the Nittany Lions get through October unbeaten, they will almost certainly punch their ticket to Indianapolis and a likely berth in the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff.
Beyond just winning the Big Ten, this season presents Penn State with a legitimate shot at a national title. The pieces are all in place — elite quarterback, dominant defense, explosive skill players, depth across the trenches, and a coaching staff that has shown it can adjust midseason. It’s not just about potential anymore; it’s about execution. The time for moral victories and “almost” seasons is over.
The fanbase, long known for its passion and loyalty, can feel it. Season tickets sold out within days. National media is giving Penn State the kind of preseason buzz typically reserved for Alabama, Georgia, or Clemson. NFL scouts are descending on practices in greater numbers. And most importantly, recruits — both in the 2025 and 2026 classes — are taking notice. The program’s recruiting momentum has never been stronger, as top prospects are seeing Penn State not as a stepping stone, but as a destination.
There’s also a sense of poetic justice surrounding Penn State’s rise. After the turmoil the program endured a decade ago, many wondered if it would ever fully recover. Franklin’s ability to not only stabilize but elevate the team to a position of dominance is a testament to both his leadership and the resilience of the Penn State community. With every win, they’re rewriting the narrative — not just about their coach, their quarterback, or their defense, but about the entire program.
Should the Nittany Lions fulfill their potential and win the Big Ten, it would be their first outright conference championship since 1994 and the first under Franklin. It would validate years of recruiting, development, and internal belief. It would also mark a turning point in college football’s balance of power. For years, the Big Ten has been defined by Ohio State and Michigan. But in 2025, Penn State has the chance to not just share the stage — but own it.
The road will be difficult. The pressure will be immense. And every opponent will view beating Penn State as their season’s crowning achievement. But for the first time, the Nittany Lions are the hunted — not the hunter. That shift in perception brings its own challenges, but it also brings unprecedented opportunity.
This is not a Cinderella story. It’s the result of planning, building, and believing. In 2025, Penn State is not just in the conversation. They are the standard. And if everything goes according to plan, the Nittany Lions may finally roar louder than anyone else in the Big Ten.
