College Football Preview 2025: Penn State Nittany Lions

• Head Coach: James Franklin (12th season)
• 2024 Record: 13-3 (lost in CFP Semifinal)
• Strength of Schedule: 38th
• PFF Projected Win Total: 8.8
• FanDuel Win Total: 10.5

2024 Recap

James Franklin enjoyed his best season yet in Year 11 at the helm of Penn State. The Nittany Lions finished 13-3 and reached the College Football Playoff Semifinals, marking the program’s first top-five finish under Franklin and its first in nearly two decades.

While Penn State lost two top-15 NFL draft picks in edge rusher Abdul Carter and tight end Tyler Warren, the core of the roster remains intact. With few glaring weaknesses and plenty of star power, the Nittany Lions are well-positioned to contend at the highest level once again.

Biggest Strength: Continuity from a final-four team

Outside of Carter and Warren, Penn State returns most of the stars from last year’s semifinal run. Seven Nittany Lions landed in the top 10 of PFF’s positional rankings, the second-most of any program. The only unit not featured was the linebacker group, and even then, Penn State would’ve made the cut if the list extended just one spot further.

Biggest Weakness: Will the transfers at wide receiver finally be the answer?