Although the 2025 college football season is still months away from kicking off, ESPN has already updated its top 25 rankings.
Ohio State was initially ranked No. 1 in ESPN’s way-too-early rankings. That made sense considering the Buckeyes are the defending champions. However, their stay at the top of ESPN’s rankings wasn’t an extended one.
Earlier this month, ESPN’s Mark Schlabach updated his rankings for the 2025 season. For some reason, he felt the need to drop Ohio State out of the top four. Multiple programs, including Clemson, Georgia and Texas, jumped ahead of Ohio State.
So which team was crowned the new No. 1 in ESPN’s rankings? That would be one of Ohio State’s top rivals, Penn State.
“After finally turning the corner under coach James Franklin in 2024, the Nittany Lions look loaded for bear this coming season. With Allar, Allen and Singleton returning, Penn State should have one of the most balanced offenses in the FBS, especially if Allar takes the next step as a downfield passer. Adding Pena, Ross and Hudson was critical; Penn State’s receivers didn’t have a reception in a 27-24 loss to Notre Dame in a CFP semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl. Pena, a slot receiver, had 84 catches for 941 yards with nine scores in 2024,” Schlabach wrote.
“Ross was one of the top receivers in the portal after hauling in 76 passes for 1,043 yards with 11 scores last season. Penn State’s most important offseason addition might be new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, who helped guide Ohio State to a CFP national title last season. He’s the highest-paid coordinator in the FBS at $3.1 million per season.”
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There’s no question Penn State has what it takes to win a national title from a talent standpoint. The real question though is whether their coach can get over the hump.
Here’s the latest top 25 from ESPN:
Penn StateClemsonTexasGeorgiaOhio StateLSUNotre DameOregonAlabamaBYUIllinoisArizona StateSouth CarolinaIowa StateSMUTexas TechIndianaKansas StateFloridaMichiganMiami LouisvilleTexas A&MOle MissOklahoma
If we had to guess, ESPN’s rankings will change before Week 0 arrives in late August.
For now though, Drew Allar and the Penn State Nittany Lions sit atop the rankings.
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