2025 College Football Predictions: Back Penn State to Eclipse Win Total
Published Jul. 10, 2025, 12:57 p.m. ET
Winning in college football often comes down to a straightforward factor: do you possess a roster that significantly outmatches your opponents? Typically, the technical aspects of the game become secondary when you’ve got standout players on your side. Add elite coaching and a system that consistently delivers victories and produces NFL talents, and you’ve got a solid foundation for success. That’s where Penn State stands as they gear up for the upcoming season.
Penn State had an impressive 11-1 record during the 2024 regular season, following two successful years of 10-2 in both 2022 and 2023. okebet agent sign up login The five losses they incurred were all in conference play against formidable rivals such as Ohio State and Michigan sulasok.tv.. A trademark of a James Franklin-coached team is the ability to secure victories in games they are expected to win. The Nittany Lions typically triumph in such matches by more than a touchdown, making it a walk in the park.
The team is set to return Drew Allar at quarterback, who is progressively improving as he heads into his third season. While there are still some uncertainties surrounding the position, Allar doesn’t need to be a superhero, especially with the strength of Penn State’s ground game.
Penn State boasts the top running back duo in the nation. Kaytron Allen had a standout season with 220 carries, racking up 1,108 yards and eight touchdowns, while Nick Singleton logged 172 carries for 1,099 yards and 12 touchdowns. These backs are known for their speed and ability to wear down opposing defenses, breaking out in the latter stages of the game to deliver crucial scores. It’s pure thunder.
Although the Nittany Lions lost tight end Tyler Warren to the NFL, they secured three wide receivers via the transfer portal. The passing game requires more explosiveness, and offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki is among the best in the business. Expect him to keep the offense firing on all cylinders throughout the season. ph222 login password free philippines
On the defensive side, Penn State has been among the best in the sport for several years. They ranked eighth for points allowed last season, following a remarkable third place in 2023, and they finished with the fifth-most sacks, leading the nation in that category in 2022. Even though they’ll be replacing Abdul Carter, Dani Dennis-Sutton returns, having successfully sacked the quarterback 8.5 times in the previous season.
Penn State retains most of its defensive backfield, featuring third-team All-Big Ten cornerback AJ Harris. The most significant addition this offseason is Jim Knowles, the former defensive coordinator from Ohio State, who arrives fresh from a championship run to help elevate a Big Ten adversary to similar heights. That’s an impressive coaching staff in Happy Valley.
The decision on whether to bet on the Penn State Over or Under hinges on their performance in just two games this season. Their non-conference schedule is relatively easy, with home games against Nevada, FIU, and Villanova to kick off the season. Following a bye week, they will host Oregon in Week 5, where Penn State is expected to be a slight favorite.
Five weeks later, the Nittany Lions face their toughest challenge of the season at Ohio State, also after a bye week. If Penn State continues its trend of winning as favorites, they should emerge victorious against Oregon but likely face defeat as underdogs against Ohio State. This would tally them at 11-1 and the Over.
On the other hand, if you anticipate them losing both matches, they will fall Under. I believe that Penn State is strong enough to at least split those games, if not win them both. I’d advocate for betting on Penn State’s Over, and if they head into Ohio State with a loss, you can bet on the Buckeyes as a hedge.
PICK: Penn State Over 10. ph365.com ph5 regular-season wins
Geoff Schwartz is an NFL analyst for FOX Sports. He enjoyed an eight-season tenure in the NFL, playing for five different teams legit tongits app. He was a right tackle for the University of Oregon for three years and earned a second-team All-Pac-12 selection during his senior year. Follow him on Twitter @GeoffSchwartz.
Did this analysis change your perspective on Penn State’s upcoming season?