Penn State takes No. 2 spot in latest top 25, setting up for ‘best opportunity’ at national title

Penn State football has become a constant among the nation’s top teams as the college football world begins to calibrate its expectations for the 2025 season. The Nittany Lions have claimed the No. 1 ranking in multiple post-spring top 25 lists and are a near consensus championship contender heading into the summer.

The story was no different in Athlon Sports’ recently published top 25 projections. While the Nittany Lions didn’t take home the No. 1 spot, they are sitting at No. 2, right behind the Texas Longhorns.

As the preseason praise continues to pour into Happy Valley, there’s a growing sense that 2025 will be a make-or-break year for James Franklin and Penn State’s championship goals.

“If the Nittany Lions are going to break through under head coach James Franklin, the 2025 season is their best opportunity,” writes Steven Lassan. “A team that fell just short of a trip to the national title game is stocked with experience. And Penn State’s stoutest competitors in the Big Ten — Ohio State, Oregon, and Michigan — are rebuilding in ’25.”

The Nittany Lions don’t face the Wolverines during the regular season but have dates set with the Ducks and Buckeyes. Although it may be a bit of an exaggeration to say Ohio State and Oregon – teams that will both be ranked in the preseason top 10 – are rebuilding this fall, the point is well taken. With an experienced roster and key transfer portal additions this offseason, there’s no better time than now for Penn State football to make a title push.

“An experienced roster held together through offseason roster retention paid off for Michigan in 2023 and Ohio State in ’24 to win national titles,” Lassan continues. “The Nittany Lions could be the next team to fit that mold.”

Athlon Sports preseason top 10 projections

1. Texas
2. Penn State
3. Ohio State
4. Georgia
5. Clemson
6. Notre Dame
7. LSU
8. Alabama
9. Oregon
10. Miami

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