Ohio State is hungry for a Big Ten title, but Penn State has a loaded roster and OSU's ex-defensive coordinator as the Nittany Lions aim for a title.
LAS VEGAS – Penn State poached Ohio State's defensive coordinator Jim Knowles in January.
Now the Nittany Lions want to steal the Buckeyes' successful 2024 formula.
Like Ohio State a year ago, Penn State was able to retain almost all of its key underclassmen who were eligible for the NFL draft.
This year, the Nittany Lions believe, they finally have what it takes to get over the hump, one they have failed to in James Franklin's 11 years as coach. He is 1-15 against top-5 teams.
But Franklin believes he finally has all the pieces. The Nittany Lions are preseason favorites to win the Big Ten.
“This is the best combined personnel that I think we've had at Penn State,” Franklin said at Big Ten media days, referring to his roster and coaching staff.
Knowles is a big part of that. Penn State made him the highest-paid defensive coordinator in college football history at $3.1 million per year when it lured him back to his home state days after the Buckeyes' national championship.
“He's been awesome,” Franklin said. “He doesn't say a whole lot, and when he does, he speaks quietly. You've got to kind of lean in. He is a little bit of a mad scientist.
“We were able to go out and get arguably the best defensive coordinator in college football. It was a big get.”
Safety Zakee Wheatley agreed.
“The energy he brings, the different philosophies he brings to the defense, and what we've learned from him so far this summer has been amazing,” he said.
With the addition of Knowles and the addition of transfer wide receivers at a position that was a major weakness, the Nittany Lions have all the pieces on paper to make a run for Big Ten and national titles.
Most of the other national championship contenders – Ohio State, Texas and Georgia – will have first-year starters at quarterback. Penn State's Drew Allar will be starting for the third straight year.
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But Allar hasn't proven he can win the biggest of games, nor has Franklin.
“We've had a program that 99% of the programs in the country would die to have and love to have,” Franklin said. “But there's obviously room for growth.
“We've been one of the most consistent programs in the country over the last nine years. I'm extremely proud and I'm extremely confident. But there is complete recognition and embracing of what we've got to do and where we've got to go.
“The best part about it is we're in total control of it. If we want the narrative to change, we've got an opportunity to change it. If we want people to shut up, we can shut them up real easy.”
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Ohio State football beat writer Bill Rabinowitz can be reached at [email protected] or on bluesky at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Aided by ex-Buckeye Knowles, Penn State eyes 2025 title run
Category: General Sports
