James Franklin and the Penn State Nittany Lions haven't won the Big Ten since 2016, but a poll of conference media members tabs them as the favorite in 2025.
Cleveland.com polled 24 of the Big Ten's credentialed writers, with PSU garnering 11 first-place votes, just edging out the Buckeyes, who got 10. This same poll had Ohio State winning last year, and they've picked Ohio State or Michigan to win the league every year since 2014.
Since 2011, the writers have gotten it right four times. This season they picked Oregon to finish third, but 22 of 24 say they'll make the College Football Playoff.
Cleveland.com Media Poll
(2025 Oregon opponents in bold)
Rank | Team (1st place votes) | Points |
|---|---|---|
1 | Penn State (11) | 435 |
2 | Ohio State (10) | 431 |
3 | Oregon (2) | 405 |
4 | Illinois | 353 |
5 | Michigan (1) | 346 |
6 | Indiana | 305 |
7 | Iowa | 287 |
8 | Nebraska | 277 |
9 | USC | 269 |
10 | Washington | 216 |
11 | Minnesota | 192 |
12 | Wisconsin | 159 |
13 | Michigan State | 135 |
13 | Rutgers | 135 |
15 | UCLA | 134 |
16 | Maryland | 91 |
17 | Northwestern | 65 |
18 | Purdue | 39 |
The Nittany Lions return a two-year starter at quarterback in senior Drew Allar, who threw for 3,327 yards and 24 touchdowns a year ago. Twin 1,000-yard running backs Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton return, and Franklin mined the portal for three top receivers in Trebor Pena (Syracuse), Devonte Ross (Troy) and Kyron Hudson (USC).
New Penn State WR transfer Devonte Ross against Iowa this season:
— Dylan Dawson (@PSU_Dylan) December 24, 2024
-5 receptions
-142 yards
-2 TDS
-77 yard punt return TD
Followed that up with an 11 rec, 229 yard, 3 TD game against FAMU
👀 pic.twitter.com/4Hae20hd6o
On defense, new coordinator Jim Knowles has edge rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton, 6-1, 290 defensive tackle Zane Durant, who had 42 tackles, 3 sacks and 11 tackles for loss last season, plus North Carolina transfer at linebacker Amare Campbell, one of the top linebackers available in the portal, 76 tackles, 6.5 sacks for the Tarheels in 2024.
Zane Durant is a Top 3 DT in College Football https://t.co/ivIlbGLE4N pic.twitter.com/gkroQYKUKm
— LandonTengwall (@LandonTengwall) May 28, 2025
The 6-5, 266 Sutton fought off injuries to emerge as a wrecking ball for the Nittany Lions in their playoff run, tallying 8.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss last season; 4.5 of his sacks came in the playoffs. AJ Harris paces the secondary, a 6-1, 191 cornerback who broke up four passes last year.
Locked Down. 🔐 (@AJ_Harris04)
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) July 20, 2025
→ Phenix City, AL
→ @CHSRedDevils
→ 6’1” / 191 lbs.#WeAre pic.twitter.com/bn4o23Xadg
Ohio State boasts the two best players in college football in receiver Jeremiah Smith and safety Caleb Downs, but the Buckeyes have two new coordinators and a new quarterback. They host PSU on November 1.
The writers identify Luke Fickell, Mike Locksley and Lincoln Riley as the coaches on the hot seat. No writer picked Washington higher than sixth, while the Trojans are projected for a ninth-place finish, not high enough to cool the seat.