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What are the biggest questions facing Penn State and its toughest opponents entering the summer?

Greg Pickelby:Greg Pickel•05/27/25•

GregPickel

biggest questions preseaso top 25 entering summer

Penn State news, notes, and updates for May 27 include On3 national college football reporter Pete Nakos’ breakdown of the top question facing each top 25 team, headlines of the day, and more.

Nakos uses colleague Ari Wasserman’s post-spring rankings, which have the Nittany Lions at No. 1. It leads to an obvious and easy question to ask of head coach James Franklin’s team: Are the Nittany Lions ready to compete for a national title?

“Penn State finished its College Football Playoff semifinal loss to Notre Dame without a single completed pass to a wide receiver,” Nakos writes. “Penn State has revamped its receiver room, bringing in Troy’s Devonte Ross, USC’s Kyron Hudson and Syracuse’s Trebor Pena. The trio gives quarterback Drew Allar three proven wideout options. Penn State’s defense has reloaded, too. The early-season test comes on Sept. 27 with Oregon visiting State College.”

Speaking of the Ducks, Nakos asks if the offense will still look as good as it has with a new quarterback at the helm.

“Oregon has yet to name a starter, but bringing in UCLA transfer Dante Moore a year ago was always the long-term plan at quarterback,” Nakos writes “Moore backed up Dillon Gabriel in 2024, learning the Oregon offense and working closely with offensive coordinator Will Stein. Will Oregon stretch the field more in the passing game? What does the offense exactly look like with Moore running the offense on the field will be an eary season question to watch.”

A quarterback question is also facing Penn State November opponent Ohio State.

“Former Alabama transfer and unanimous five-star quarterback Julian Sayin and junior Lincoln Kienholz will go head-to-head in fall camp,” Nakos writes. “The award for winning the job? A Week 1 test against Texas.”

Headlines of the day

A Penn State freshman who wears an iconic number is one to watch this fall, and beyond: Flounders, PennLive

Inside the top schools for electric WR Messiah Hampton: Wiltfong, On3

Who should Penn State play in the 2025 White Out?: Daily Collegian

Penn State Football’s Keystone Defenders: 3 Irreplaceable Stars Set to Anchor the 2025 Defense: Carr, BWI

Penn State wrestling commit Jayden James hits top three of MatScout’s Class of 2026 big board: Pickel, BWI

Quote of the day

“Their message to me has always been that they were going to recruit my brother either way and that they were going to recruit me either way. They have recruited me hard. And it would be cool to play with my brother at Penn State. But it will not impact my decision. What they have done with edge rushers is really exciting and coach Barnes and coach Franklin are great-minded people. They are producing NFL first-rounders too, and those things stand out about Penn State.”

Class of 2026 recruit Luke Wafle on PSU to On3’s Chad Simmons.

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