The blueprint for a National Title has been a senior-laden team with talent up and down the roster. Penn State fits the mold in 2025, can they climb the mountain?
It’s a now-or-never season in Happy Valley.
Penn State returns a loaded, experienced roster with Drew Allar at quarterback, the elite backfield of Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen, and a defense designed to thrive under new coordinator Jim Knowles.
After watching Michigan (2023) and Ohio State (2024) win titles with veteran teams and elite defenses, the Nittany Lions now hold that exact blueprint. But the question is: can they execute?
Saturday Cadence listeners know that Penn State’s expectations may be their biggest obstacle. James Franklin is a proven recruiter and program builder, but he has just one win against Ohio State and has repeatedly faltered in big moments. However, Penn State has gotten some breathing room with the College Football Playoff expanding to 12 teams.
The defense should be the team’s calling card. Knowles, who came over from Ohio State, inherits a mature, physical group. His system, known for disguises and complex pressures, relies on football IQ and discipline, which are qualities this roster possesses. If the defense can control games, Penn State will be in the title hunt all season.
But the offense still has question marks. The biggest is whether they can generate explosive plays through the air. They brought in three new receivers to address that, but the lack of proven vertical threats may limit Drew Allar’s Heisman hopes and put more pressure on the running game.
When it comes to Penn State, seeing is believing. The Nittany Lions must prove the program can win talent-equated games before many can truly back Franklin’s group. However, some analysts love what they see on paper and potential energy is enough.
Still, the path is clear: handle business against the middle of the Big Ten, split with Oregon and Ohio State, and make a run in the postseason. In fact, because of the new format, Penn State might not need to win either marquee game to make the Playoff.
Moreover, making the field isn’t enough. For this season to be considered a success, Franklin must prove he can win a big one, and he’s going to have to do it multiple times…in a row. The talent is there and the time is now.
Blake Biscardi, a native of Pickerington, Ohio, is The Silver Bulletin’s Senior Editor and the Creator & Host of the Saturday Cadence podcast, a national college football show. As a trusted voice on Ohio State, the Big Ten, and College Football Playoff since 2016, Biscardi is a proud member of the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and a two-time Graduate of Temple University in Philadelphia.