Phil Steele projects Penn State as 2025 national champion

The momentum of expectations surrounding Penn State football for the 2025 season continues this week with one of the sport’s top prognosticators. In his recently released preview magazine for the upcoming year, popular college football writer Phil Steele has picked the Nittany Lions as his projected national champion.

“The last two years, a veteran-laden Big Ten team with players turning down the NFL has won the national championship,” Steele wrote. “Penn State fits that description perfectly.”

The longtime analyst also predicts the Nittany Lions will return to the Big Ten Championship Game in early December, this time capturing the conference crown.

“Of the final four teams [from last year’s playoff], Penn State returns the most, so they are a legitimate national title contender,” he added. “They get both Oregon and Indiana at home and do not play Michigan, but have to travel to Columbus. The last two national champions were veteran-laden Big Ten teams, and Penn State fits that mold this year.”

An opinion echoed by many in the national media, Steele highlights the returning leadership and production on the Penn State roster. He tabbed five Nittany Lions for his preseason All-American teams, including running back Nicholas Singleton and offensive guard Vega Ioane as first-team selections.

Specifically, Steele compared the Nittany Lions to last year’s national champion, Ohio State. Even after suffering a pair of stumbling blocks during the regular season, the Buckeyes’ talented roster was able to right the ship for the postseason.

“They face Ohio State on the road, but as the Buckeyes proved last year, making the playoffs is the key and they are the most talented team in the country and gained good experience winning a pair of playoff games last year,” he wrote.

Phil Steele’s 2025 college football season preview is available for order online.

Thank you for reading Basic Blues Nation. Part of the Full Ride network, we are an alumni-owned and operated, credentialed media outlet dedicated to providing you with updated and reliable insights for all your favorite Nittany Lion sports. Whether it’s Penn State football, basketball, wrestling, or anything in between, you can find it all on Basic Blues Nation!

Please follow us on our social channels, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube, and subscribe to our newsletter on Substack for breaking news and notifications. For feedback, questions, or concerns, please email us at basicbluesnation@gmail.com or direct message us on social media.