Penn State news, notes, and updates for Aug. 5 include a look at the Lions’ spot in ESPN’s impatience index. National college football reporter Adam Rittenberg puts head coach James Franklin’s team in a tier of their own. It is titled the championship or bust category.
“Penn State isn’t the only college team pining for championships this season,” Rittenberg writes. “Others have waited longer and endured more prolonged struggles than the Nittany Lions. But what team has accomplished more in the past eight seasons without winning a title? Franklin has had five 10-win seasons and five AP top-10 finishes. He has repeatedly beaten the teams he should beat, including Penn State’s first two opponents in its CFP debut, SMU and Boise State. While most of last season’s CFP participants are replacing starting quarterbacks and large NFL draft classes, Penn State returns QB1 Drew Allar, the nation’s top running back tandem in Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen and a defense with national awards candidates at all three levels. Penn State has the most win-now roster in the Big Ten.
“Penn State isn’t a program that enters every season with a championship-or-bust mentality, but it certainly applies for 2025.”
You can read the full story here.
In other news, the Lions open the 2025 season at No. 3 in the USA Today Coaches Poll. It is behind Texas and Ohio State, while Georgia and Notre Dame round out the top five. You can see the full top 25 below:
BREAKING: College Football Preseason Coaches Poll
https://t.co/UOHDaVDFxkpic.twitter.com/ouboz88vXu
— On3 (@On3sports) August 4, 2025
Headlines of the day
Which Penn State players made Bruce Feldman’s annual Freaks List? Here’s the rundown: Pickel, BWI
Saquon Barkley reveals his all-time favorite Penn State game: McGonigal, PennLive
Battle scars: Penn State’s offensive line depth is 11 years in the making: Carr, BWI
Rivals No. 5 CB Xavier Hasan talks schools catching his eye and visits on the calendar: Wiltfong, BWI
PSU puts six on Pro Football Focus’ preseason All-Big Ten team: Pickel, BWI
Opponent Preview: What should PSU fans expect from Iowa?: Snyder, BWI
Quote of the day
“I watch a lot of Big Ten football and I know Penn State is a good program. The White Out games are some of the best. The energy, the defense, the vibe makes me want to get up to a game and see if it’s a fit for me.”
Class of 2027 Raleigh, N.C. Cardinal Gibbons CB Xavier Hasanto On3’s Steve Wiltfong.
