Paul Finebaum explains why Penn State looks like the best Big Ten team entering 2025

Despite being the reigning national champion, Ohio State isn’t Paul Finebaum’s pick to win the Big Ten in 2025. During an appearance on McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning on Monday, Finebaum explained why Penn State is the Big Ten team to beat in the upcoming season.

“It looks like Penn State’s the best team,” Finebaum said. “As you say that, I know what Ohio State’s capable of. It’s like eight or nine years ago saying, “I don’t think Alabama is going to be able to do it.’ And then Alabama goes out and loses two games, doesn’t go to the SEC Championship game, and wins the national championship. I mean, it just feels like that’s the kind of season Ohio State is bracing for.

“I don’t think Michigan is there yet. I think they’re they’re good. I don’t think they’re great. I don’t expect Indiana to come back. And Oregon, to me, is a transitional year. I mean, it’s always a transitional year out there at quarterback. But I still believe Dan Lanning is one of the five best coaches in the country that everybody has conveniently forgotten about because of a truly embarrassing afternoon at the Rose Bowl.”

Ohio State and Michigan are the perennial cream of the crop in the storied conference. Oregon joined their ranks last season, winning the Big Ten Championship in its first season in the conference.

In the past, Penn State has been competitive, but typically hovered in the second-tier of Big Ten teams, unable to break through into the upper-echelon. Penn State sky-rocketed into that rare air last season, reaching the College Football Playoff semifinals before being eliminated.

Alas, the Nittany Lions still couldn’t take home the coveted conference title. In fact, Penn State hasn’t won the Big Ten since 2016. Head coach James Franklin and Co. have an excellent chance of shattering their longstanding drought this fall.

Penn State is returning 14 total starters from last season, nine of which are on offense. Most notably, Penn State is bringing back quarterback Drew Allar and running back duo Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton.

Last season, the backfield trio gave the Nittany Lions one of their best offenses during the James Franklin era. Penn State will look to build on that momentum and finally capture the Big Ten title this year.

The Nittany Lions will kick off the 2025 campaign with a showdown against Nevada at 3:30 p.m. ET on Aug. 30. The game will air live on CBS.