For the third consecutive season, a Big Ten team will open the season ranked No. 2 in the AP Poll, as Penn State is this year. It is further proof that the conference is among the best in college football, if not the best. Michigan opened the 2023 season at No. 2 and went on to […]
For the third consecutive season, a Big Ten team will open the season ranked No. 2 in the AP Poll, as Penn State is this year. It is further proof that the conference is among the best in college football, if not the best.
Michigan opened the 2023 season at No. 2 and went on to win the National Championship. Ohio State opened the 2024 season at No. 2 and also went on to win the National Championship. James Franklin‘s Penn State Nittany Lions will now look to become the third straight Big Ten team to win a national title after opening the season ranked No. 2 in the country.
This comes after a stellar season for the Nittany Lions, in which they made a run to the Orange Bowl (CFP Semifinal) before falling to Notre Dame 27-24. Along with a strong finish and a strong returning core, expectations are higher than they’ve ever been for Penn State heading into the 2025 season.
Many have lambasted Penn State‘s non-conference schedule this season however, as it opens the 2025 campaign against Nevada, FIU and FCS Villanova. Athletic Director Pat Kraftdefended the schedule during a media opportunity on Tuesday.
“Well we’re still in games that I didn’t have any part in scheduling,” Kraft said. “Although, I did schedule the Temple game (which will take place in 2026 and 2027) when I was in Temple so that’s coming to fruition. Win games, that’s it. And right now with where the system is, we have to look at all different metrics. I have to be brutally honest with you; I don’t know who we play other than Temple because it was brought up to me this morning. I don’t even know what the schedule will look like when we’re scheduling games out. 2029? Yeah. Who knows what this thing is going to look like (in 2029).”
“I get it. I think if some of these questions get answered about the Playoff and about selection, it will open up the world of scheduling a little more. At the end of the day, 10-11 wins. How do you get there? Remember now, we were planning on playing 16 games. We don’t get preseason games. So, I think it was our Rose Bowl year that Drew (Allar) had the most snaps because [Sean Clifford] was out in the third quarter of a lot of games. How valuable is that as we sit here today. So, there’s a lot more to that and I’m not disparaging any opponent. But, we have to look at it like we’re playing 16 games and have to play in a Big Ten which is physical, intense and oh by the way we want to go to the Playoff.”
“If we gotta go our route like we did last year and plan on doing (again), we need a Big Ten Championship and then play other games… you’ve got to be healthy. We’ve got to take it all of those factors when scheduling games. It’s just the reality.”
Penn State opens the 2025 season at home against Nevada on Aug. 30. Kick-off is scheduled for 3:30 PM on CBS.
Category: General Sports
