Which game will make-or-break the 2025 Penn State football season?: Newsstand
Penn State news, notes, and updates for Feb. 18 include a make-or-break game for each top 25 team, headlines of the day, and more. It’s time to dive into Tuesday’s top tweets and stories about the Nittany Lions and college athletics.
Penn State tweets of the day
What game will have the biggest impact on Penn State’s 2025 season? According to ESPN, it is the Lions road trip to Columbus on Nov. 1. It takes on Ohio State then in The Horseshoe. A loss there wouldn’t necessarily preclude Penn State from making the Playoff, of course. But, as Chris Low details, it means a lot for other reasons, too
“Get ready for all the narratives about James Franklin not being able to win the big one when the Nov. 1 trip to Ohio State rolls around, and that’s despite the Nittany Lions making it to the College Football Playoff semifinals last season before losing to Notre Dame,” Chris Low writes. “Franklin, for all his success in Happy Valley, is just 1-10 against Ohio State after losing 20-13 at home last season. And he’s just 4-20 against AP top-10 teams in his 11 seasons at Penn State. The numbers don’t lie, but his 2025 team has a chance to be his best yet, with several key veterans returning, including quarterback Drew Allar.
“With the playoff expanding to 12 teams, one loss — or even two — is no longer a killer. But given Penn State’s recent record against Ohio State, this is more than just a game. The drama is heightened by defensive coordinator Jim Knowles moving from Ohio State to Penn State in the aftermath of the Buckeyes’ national championship. Both teams will have bye weeks leading into the game, and for Penn State, it will be a chance to significantly strengthen its résumé after playing a soft nonconference schedule. The Nittany Lions open the season against Nevada, Florida International and Villanova, all at home.”
In related news, Kyle Bonagura makes Oregon’s September trip to Penn State the Ducks’ make-or-break game.
Top 10
- 1
Paul Finebaum
Prediction on CFP expansion
- 2
Jaxson Robinson
Kentucky star injury update
- 3
Trey'Dez Green
LSU 2-sport star stepping away
- 4
NFL mock draft
Blockbuster trade shakes up draft
- 5Hot
AP Poll
Big shakeup in Top 25
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Headlines of the day
A Penn State redshirt freshman linebacker is a player to watch in the offseason: Flounders, PennLive
Penn State football sets 2025 spring practice schedule: Snyder, BWI
Penn State goes with Stan Drayton; The upgrade debate and how will he recruit?: Fitz, BWI
The weekly rundown: PSU football puts its staff together; wrestling rolls along: Pickel, BWI
Ranking college football’s 10 winningest teams all-time: Parks, SI
Quote of the day
“[The offer] was shocking to me because it was out of nowhere. I had gotten a text and then a call from coach Barnes and we had a great conversation. I told him that my father and the rest of my family were born and raised in Philadelphia. So it’s close to PSU, and funny enough coach Barnes was also born and raised there as well.
“I told him how I’ve been paying close attention to Penn State’s defense, because I have two teammates that play for them and because of how dominant their defensive line has been.”
PSU Class of 2026 defensive line target Brian Harris.
