Penn State may have the highest preseason expectations of any Big Ten team headed into the 2025 season. After returning almost all of their prolific starters from last year, they have consistently been ranked either No. 1 or in the top 5 in the country in many preseason rankings. As the Big Ten media day spotlight approaches, more questions will be asked of this Nittany Lions squad and how they will handle this pressure.
On Wednesday, head coach James Franklin and a select contingent of players, including star quarterback Drew Allar, will address the media and likely answer several pressing questions about the team’s outlook for the season. On a day in which the onus will be on the shoulders of the Penn State contingent, Franklin and Allar will be expected to address each question with candor, yet also with belief and enthusiasm. This season will be unlike any other for Penn State, and I expect the media day won’t be handled any differently.
As the presumptive Big Ten favorite this year, the overarching narrative of Big Ten media day will surround that hype. After all, Penn State hasn’t been Big Ten champion since 2016, Franklin’s second year in Happy Valley. Almost a decade later, with only that title to his name, Franklin must face the reality of the situation, especially in this benchmark of a year. While he has gone 101-42 in his illustrious career, he is an abysmal 1-14 against top 5 teams and an awful 4-16 against Big Ten rivals Ohio State and Michigan. Their rivals have nothing to prove. Look for Franklin to ensure that these results can be reversed this year, and Penn State will come out on top not only in those pivotal matchups but as the Big Ten champion.
Another storyline that could define Big Ten media day discussions is the play of Drew Allar and whether last season was a harbinger of things to come….
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Publish date : 2025-07-22 21:46:00
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