Penn State needs no more introduction or motivation for the 2025 season. College football knows who the Nittany Lions are, and the team is dragging last season's Orange Bowl behind it into a championship-caliber season.

This season, I envision a similar scenario unfolding. Penn State will lose to the Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on Nov. 1. But when the College Football Playoff arrives, the Nittany Lions will be the Big Ten’s strongest entrant. A third straight natty for the conference — with PSU its third different champ — is very possible.

Here’s a look at five big college football showdowns this upcoming season: Aug. 30: No. 1 Texas at No. 3 Ohio State Arch Manning against the reigning national champions. A rematch of the