For the first time under James Franklin’s leadership, Penn State was just one game away from competing for the national championship in 2024. Although the Nittany Lions fell to Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Orange Bowl, Franklin has already secured significant offseason wins that could position the program for another title run next season.
Before the CFP, junior quarterback Drew Allar announced he would return for the 2025 season. Despite junior defensive end Abdul Carter, the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, heading to the NFL, several key members of Penn State’s talented junior class have pledged to return. Defensive linemen Zane Durant and Dani Dennis-Sutton, along with running backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen, have all confirmed they will be back in blue and white for their senior year. These commitments have made Penn State one of the early favorites for next year’s national championship.
According to FanDuel Sportsbook, Penn State currently holds +850 odds to win the 2025-26 CFP national championship, ranking fifth. The top five odds are as follows:
2025-26 CFP National Championship Odds:
- Ohio State: +450
- Texas: +650
- Georgia: +650
- Oregon: +650
- Penn State: +850
Despite having the fifth-best odds nationally, Penn State ranks third in the Big Ten, behind Ohio State and Oregon. The Wolverines could pose a challenge, especially with the addition of five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood, the top high school QB in the country. If Underwood meets expectations in his freshman year, Michigan could leapfrog Penn State in the rankings.
For James Franklin, next season represents the best opportunity to capture a national championship since taking over at Penn State. The 2022 recruiting class, the strongest of his tenure, will be critical to this pursuit. With key players like Allar, Durant, Dennis-Sutton, Singleton, and Allen nearing the end of their eligibility, 2025 could mark a pivotal “last dance” for the Nittany Lions in their quest for college football glory.
