Penn State Nittany Lions Football: Phil Steele 2025 Forecast

Penn State enters 2025 following its best season yet under head coach James Franklin. Coming off a run to the national semifinal, the Nittany Lions expect to be right back in the mix for a national championship this fall.

Franklin’s group returns a ton of production on both sides of the football and all signs point toward a successful season for Penn State this fall. However, the Nittany Lions have been unable break through as the team to beat in the Big Ten Conference behind teams like Michigan and Ohio State, who have won the last two national championships. Adding Oregon and company to the mix last season makes the competition all the more stiff.

The Nittany Lions will get to face both the Buckeyes and Ducks during the regular season, not to mention key matchups against Iowa, Indiana and Nebraska down the stretch. Penn State doesn’t have much to worry about in regard to their non-conference slate (Nevada, FIU, Villanova).

Offense

Drew Allar could have left college for the 2025 NFL Draft, but decided to return to Penn State for one reason — to win a national championship. Steele believes this year’s offensive unit has a chance to be special.

Phil Steele: “In 23, my computer called for Penn St to have 35.1 ppg and they had 36.2 ppg. Last year they had a veteran backfield and brought in Andy Kotelnicki as OC. My computer called for 35.8 ppg and Penn St had 35 ppg in the reg season This year they return Allar at QB, both Allen and Singleton at RB and 4 OL and should be one of the nation’s best.”

Defense

The loss of Abdul Carter is a tremendous blow to the Nittany Lions’ defensive unit. However, Penn State returns a lot of its production elsewhere from last season’s and Steele predicts them to be up there as one of the elite units in the country once again.

Phil Steele: “In 2023 they had my #3 DLine, #4 LB’s and #1 secondary and my computer called for them to allow just 14 ppg and 252 ypg and they hit that on the head with 248 ypg and 13.5 ppg Last year they had my #2 rated DLine, #6 LB’s and #9 secondary and my computer had them allowing 287 ypg and 19 ppg they allowed 295 ypg and 16.5 ppg. While they lose the Big Ten Defensive POY in DE Abdul Carter, they have 7 starters back from that top-notch defense and remain one of the nation’s best.”

2025 forecast

2025 could be the a year to remember in Happy Valley if Steele’s predictions come true. Last year’s group came up just short of their ultimate goal, but fans might not want to sell James Franklin’s group short this fall.

Phil Steele: “This year they return by far the most of any of the 4 semifinal teams from last year. This veteran squad is similar to the veteran squads of Michigan in 23 and Ohio St in ’24 that both won national titles. They get fellow Big Ten playoff teams from 24 in Oregon and Indiana at home in Happy Valley and, while they do travel to face Ohio State, they could finally break through that roadblock!

“Penn St has my #1 rated RB corps, #1 rated O-line and veteran QB Drew Allar. The Defense has my #3 DLine, #6 LB’s and #4 DB’s. They are a complete team with my #24 Special Teams. This looks like a very special veteran team and Penn St is my pick to win it all this year!”