Penn State has been ranked the No. 1 college football team in the Big Ten Conference, with every other team looking up to them. This ranking has led to several disagreements and discussions among football-savvy analysts.
Penn State is a good team with significant wins and a strong offensive game. The team also finished the season ranked No. 5 in both the Associated Press Poll and USA Today Coaches Poll.
However, the question remains: does the team rightfully deserve to dominate others in the conference? Doubts from fans and analysts are not without reason.
Why Has There Been Controversies About Penn State?
Penn State’s performance last season can be described as inconsistent. They have not consistently won high-pressure, highly competitive games — something expected from a “No. 1 team.”
Their receiving corps also hasn’t proven itself worthy of a top-tier ranking. While their offensive game is strong overall, the team’s wide receivers did not stand out as exceptional. In a major game like the College Football Playoff Semifinal against Notre Dame, they failed to record any catches.
Head coach James Franklin has also failed to prove he can lead a team to a national championship. With an average win-loss record and poor composure in critical games, his coaching ability is under scrutiny.
Penn State also lost to Oregon — a top Big Ten contender — in the conference championship game. While the team had highlights, such as their first-ever College Football Playoff appearance, their clear areas for improvement have made their top ranking debatable.
Insiders Rank Penn State Over Ohio State and Oregon in 2025 Power Rankings
In a discussion between host Jacob Goins and Spencer McLaughlin on Thursday, May 15, McLaughlin admitted that ranking Penn State No. 1 “feels and sounds wrong.” However, he said that when looking objectively, he still chooses Penn State over Ohio State and Oregon.
McLaughlin explained his reasoning despite the doubts. For one, the team is retaining its head coach and offensive coordinator, who has publicly committed to staying with Penn State. That coordinator is considered one of the top three in college football.
While Ohio State and Oregon boast talented rosters and several NFL draftees, Penn State appears to have the edge heading into 2025. They’re making significant improvements and investing in roster depth.
Penn State ranks in the top 10 nationally for returning production. They have Drew Allar — a projected 2026 top-10 NFL Draft pick — at quarterback; two standout running backs; and four returning starters on the offensive line. They’ve also hired a new defensive coordinator from Team B, who helped win a national championship.
The Nittany Lions also added an All-Conference wide receiver and Kyron Hudson from USC — a standout for the Trojans last season — to bolster their receiving group.
Meanwhile, Ohio State lost three defensive linemen, two linebackers, a wide receiver, their starting quarterback and running backs, and multiple offensive linemen.
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When comparing returning talent and new additions, few teams rival Penn State’s depth and potential.
Insiders have valid reasons for calling Penn State the top team in 2025 — despite lingering doubts about Franklin — due to their returning stars and elite coaching staff.
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