In 2024, the Nittany Lions had Beau Pribula for the regular season. He replaced an injured Allar at Wisconsin and pulled off a pivotal road win. Penn State can win a regular-season road game with its backup, but not a title. Franklin must integrate both quarterbacks into non-conference games to prepare them just in case.

ESPN's Rece Davis didn't mind throwing a lighthearted jab the Big Ten's way during Saturday's Week 0 edition of "College Football Countdown." While colleague Pete Thamel gave a report on James Franklin's No.

On one hand, the Nittany Lions will face all three Big Ten teams that made the CFP last season in Oregon, Ohio State and Indiana. But the Ducks and Hoosiers must travel to a juiced-up Beaver Stadium. Oregon gets the White Out on Sept. 27, while Indiana receives “Helmet Stripe” treatment on Nov. 8.

Texas opens at Ohio State in Week as a +2.5 point underdog and in October, the Longhorns do not play a home game. Texas goes to Florida, who is off a bye week, then to Dallas for the red river rivalry with Oklahoma, a trip to Kentucky who is off a bye, and to Mississippi State to end the month.

Rece Davis has heard fans take shots at the SEC the last couple of seasons, and he took his own shot at the B1G for Penn State's schedule.

Penn State will always be Linebacker U. But the Lions’ corners and safeties will go a long way toward determining whether the 2025 Penn State team is a true title contender. “We’re pretty talented,” Penn State cornerbacks coach Terry Smith said in early August. “My corner room is, I think, is the best I’ve had in 12 years.”

USA TODAY has released record predictions for all 136 Division I FBS teams. Here's how Penn State is projected to finish:

College football gets started with Week 0 on Saturday. How will the season unfold? We provide our record projections for all 136 teams.

James Franklin called this his best combination of personnel and coaches at Penn State. So let's rank their rooms.