Why Penn State faces hugely pivotal 2025 season

On Thursday, FanDuel gave the Nittany Lions the fifth-best odds to win the 2025 national championship. The stakes couldn’t be higher for head coach James Franklin and his returning core.

The optimism stems from the Nittany Lions’ strong 2024 season, when Penn State finished 13-3. A loss to Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl left them one win shy of a title shot.

Despite the heartbreak, Penn State has laid the groundwork for a championship run.

Franklin’s team boasts a loaded roster, headlined by quarterback Drew Allar, running backs Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton and defensive linemen Dani Dennis-Sutton and Zane Durant. Allar, who passed for 3,327 yards and 24 touchdowns last season, is poised to lead one of the nation’s more explosive offenses. Allen (1,108 yards) and Singleton  (1,099) combined for 2,207 yards rushing last season and provide balance and dynamism.

Key to the program’s momentum is its ability to retain talent. The Nittany Lions are returning 13 draft-eligible players. NIL — Name, Image and Likeness — has played a pivotal role.

StateCollege.com's Seth Engle reported that the university created an assistant athletic director role to manage its $20+ million budget, focusing on strategy and analytics. 

Brad Crawford of 247sports.com reports Penn State's current NIL collective at $13.7 million, based on the latest NCAA membership data. While this trails Michigan and Ohio State — the last two national champions — it reflects the modern approach to retaining top talent. 

For the Nittany Lions, the offseason hasn't been without challenges. Penn State lost 10 players to the NCAA transfer portal, notably its top two wide receivers (Harrison Wallace III to Ole Miss and Omari Evans to Washington). Plus, defensive coordinator Tom Allen left for Clemson.

However, the offensive line remains solid, with true freshman Cooper Cousins and redshirt freshman J’ven Williams prepared for expanded roles. Anthony Donkoh, who started 10 games before a season-ending injury, will also return.

Josh Pate of CBS Sports recently observed, “Penn State’s 2025 team will face more pressure than any squad [James] Franklin has had there. It was imperative they bring back a nucleus of guys who have been through the wars.”

The pressure comes not only from high rankings but also from past failures that continue to haunt the program.

In 2017, the Nittany Lions began the season ranked sixth, climbed to second by Week 7 and appeared poised for a playoff spot. However, back-to-back losses to Ohio State and Michigan State by a combined four points derailed their hopes.

The 1999 team, featuring future NFL first-round picks Courtney Brown and LaVar Arrington, started the season ranked third and reached No. 2 in the first BCS rankings. However, it lost its final three regular-season games. 

These seasons are painful reminders of how quickly hope can fade.

So the 2025 season is both a critical opportunity and an ultimatum. The Nittany Lions haven’t won a national championship since 1986, but with a loaded roster, deep playoff experience and a sharp NIL strategy, they’re primed to make history.

The wait has been excruciating for Nittany Lions fans. But as the dust settles from 2024 and the offseason heats up, one thing is undeniable: 2025 is not just another season. It’s the year the Nittany Lions must truly reclaim their place among college football’s elite.