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Penn State enters the season with a bevy of returning talent, similar to what Michigan and Ohio State did the last two seasons. Both went on to win national titles, even if the Wolverines were the only ones to win the conference. Franklin hopes to continue that trend of Big Ten success by building on a trip to the College Football Playoff semifinal in 2024.
That starts under center, where Drew Allar is considered the Big Ten’s best quarterback entering the season as a third-year starter. Allar — a Medina, Ohio native — has thrown for 6,302 yards and 53 touchdowns. He is 23-5 as a starter.
Joining Allar in the backfield are the running back tandem of Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton, entering this season as the Big Ten’s best duo. Both are coming off 1,000-yard rushing seasons in 2024.
Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles takes over after spending three seasons with OSU. He’ll scheme up a defense still loaded with talent despite losing first-round NFL Draft pick Abdul Carter. Headlining that talent are Dani Dennis Sutton and Zane Durant up front, while A.J. Harris leads a talented secondary.
Last season, Ohio State was picked as the favorite to win the conference, but loses to Michigan and Oregon resulted in a fourth-place finish. However the Buckeyes did go on to win the national title in the first year of the 12-team College Football Playoff.
Despite losing 15 players to the NFL draft, OSU — who earned 11 first-place votes — sit second in the 2025 preseason rankings.
Ohio State returns arguably the best player on both sides of the ball with the Big Ten Preseason Players of the Year Caleb Downs and Jeremiah Smith. However, they are replacing both coordinators with Brian Hartline as the new offensive coordinator and Matt Patricia as the new defensive coordinator. OSU will head into fall camp with a quarterback battle between Julian Sayin and Lincoln Kienholz.
Third-place Oregon — who won the conference last season — and fifth-place Michigan were the only other teams to earn a first-place vote.
