Skip to main content
penn-state logo

Top college football expert projects Penn State to win Big Ten, CFP title in 2025: Newsstand

Greg Pickelby:Greg Pickel•01/28/25•

GregPickel

penn-state-defensive-coordinator-hot-board-sorting-through-candidates
Penn State head coach James Franklin continues his search for a new DC. (Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)

Penn State news, notes, and updates for Jan. 28 include projections for the 2025 season, headlines of the day, and more. It’s time to dive into Tuesday’s top tweets and headlines about the Nittany Lions and college athletics.

Penn State tweets of the day

ESPN college football reporter Bill Connelly, known for his SP+ rankings, has put out his first College Football Playoff projection for the 2025 season. It contains good news for Nittany Lions fans. He has Penn State beating Michigan in the Big Ten title game before topping Georgia in the national championship game. Per his analysis, the Lions would meet the Bulldogs after beating Notre Dame in the quarterfinals and Utah in the semifinals.

“Hey, if Will Howard can win a national title, so can Drew Allar,” Connelly writes. “Especially with new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles in Penn State’s corner.”

In other news, On3 ranks Penn State quarterback Drew Allar as the No. 6 player in college football entering the 2025 season. It ranks defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton at No. 25.

“He will need to work on getting his completion percentages up against high-quality opponents. But Allar proved the moment wasn’t too big,” Thoams Goldkamp writes. “He threw for 3,327 yards and 24 touchdowns, against eight interceptions. He also ran for 302 yards and six scores. With another year under his belt, Allar should be even more confident next fall.”

Headlines of the day

4 former PSU players are on Super Bowl rosters with the Chiefs and Eagles. Who are they?: Ralph, PennLive

PSU off to strong start with next up-and-coming star at DeMatha: Snyder, BWI

What They’re Saying About Penn State DC Jim Knowles: ‘Evil Genius’ and ‘Cartoon Character’: Mader, SI

Getting to know new PSUdefensive coordinator Jim Knowles with two key terms: Carr, BWI

PSU hiring DC Jim Knowles from Ohio State shows commitment for 2025 season: Alenstein, Daily Collegian

What James Franklin, Jim Knowles, and others are saying about the new Penn State defensive coordinator: Pickel, BWI

Penn State football’s 2025 depth chart analysis: Will best run game in 30 years be enough?: Bodani, YDR

Recruit Reactions: Penn State’s top prospects chime in on new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles: Snyder, BWI

Quote of the day

“I am excited for this opportunity to join Penn State Football. Would like to thank Coach Franklin, Pat Kraft and President Neeli Bendapudi for this opportunity to be the defensive coordinator at Penn State. I have always had a ton of respect for Coach Franklin and the program he has built here. I look forward to working with this tremendous staff and group of student-athletes and am ready to get to work.”

–New PSU defensive coordinator Jim Knowles.

You may also like