The Penn State Nittany Lions will open their 2025 football schedule this summer with four consecutive home games as they seek another College Football Playoffs

Penn State is a legitimate national title contender. The Nittany Lions have a ton of talent back. They added transfer stars, too. With the season fast approaching, there's one big question left. ESPN's Bill Connelly poses it in his new article this week:

Penn State, 13-3 a year ago, will be represented by James Franklin, quarterback Drew Allar, center Nick Dawkins and safety Zakee Wheatley.

“Well, I said Penn State, I’ve said it for the last month, is the best team in the Big 10,” Cowherd said. “It’s not Ohio State, even though the Buckeyes have the best offensive player and the best defensive player, and Ryan Day. Penn State was just awarded the media poll over Ohio State as the best team in the conference.”

A former Penn State football commit officially flipped to the arch rival, and the Nittany Lions' 2027 recruiting class is off to a good start. Though the recruiting cycle has cooled, there's still plenty of news.

James Franklin's Nittany Lions are coming off a 13-3 season and a trip to the college football playoff semifinal round.

The Nittany Lions are considered a Big Ten-title contender as well as a national championship candidate. As the center on the offensive line, Dawkins gets to work most closely with the guy who many think can lead Penn State to its first national title since 1986, quarterback Drew Allar.

Expectations for the Nebraska Cornhuskers are smack dab in the middle of the Big Ten Conference. The 15th annual Cleveland.com preseason Big Ten football media

Franklin, in his 12th season with the Lions, has a team expected to contend for Big Ten title and a national championship.