Technically, Penn State football is still 107 days away from the start to its 2025 season. Set to host Nevada to open the campaign on Aug. 30 at Beaver Stadium, the Nittany Lions hope to maximize the time until that day comes.<\/p>\n
\u201cI like where we\u2019re at, but we got a ton of work to do between now and Nevada,\u201d head coach James Franklin<\/a> said following the program\u2019s April 26 Blue-White Game. \u201cAnd on top of that, we got to be intentional about our work. Every single one of us has got to be intentional about our work between now training camp and Nevada.\u201d<\/p>\n A sentiment Franklin is sure to continue to stress to his team in the coming weeks and months, that hasn\u2019t prevented the national college football landscape from getting into the spirit of the season. Leading with Penn State\u2019s place among the elite in multiple post-spring Top 25 rankings, another step was taken Thursday with the release of ESPN\u2019s \u201c100 days until week 0\u201d<\/a> feature. An expansive piece attributed to the TWWL\u2019s staff, it ranked top storylines, top games, Heisman hopefuls, and much more for the upcoming season.<\/p>\n Where does Penn State football fall in the equation?<\/p>\n A safe bet, the Nittany Lions are among the most prominently featured programs. From Franklin to Drew Allar and beyond, here is a look at the names and games getting the most attention.<\/p>\n Marquee matchups<\/p>\n Penn State fans have had two dates circled on the 2025 schedule for months. <\/p>\n Following a three-game nonconference warmup before beginning Big Ten play, the Oregon Ducks\u2019 trip to Happy Valley on Sept. 27 takes the fifth spot on ESPN\u2019s top 10 games list for the season. A rematch of last year\u2019s conference championship game in Indianapolis, the Nittany Lions will be eager to defend their home turf, prove their worthiness on the national stage, and avenge the 45-37 loss.<\/p>\n Not to be outdone, Penn State\u2019s Nov. 1 trip to Columbus takes the No. 3 spot on the list. A lengthy drought of losses against the Buckeyes dating back to 2016, is this the year the visitors get over the hump? Against the defending national champions?<\/p>\n The top two spots went to Texas at Ohio State to open the season, followed by Georgia\u2019s date with Alabama in Athens on Sept. 27.<\/p>\n Spotlight: James Franklin<\/p>\n For as many high profile college coaches enter the 2025 season with so much at stake, the top spot on ESPN\u2019s \u201c10 coaches to watch\u201d is the only one who didn\u2019t prowl a sideline last year. Overtaking Colorado\u2019s Deion Sanders as the nation\u2019s most talked-about college football coach, and point of fascination to fans and casuals alike, North Carolina\u2019s Bill Belichick has everyone waiting to see what will happen in Chapel Hill.<\/p>\n Beyond him? It\u2019s James Franklin<\/a> up next.<\/p>\n Ranked No. 2 on the list, the Penn State head coach entering his 12th season with the Nittany Lions will carry the weight of personal and institutional aspirations into the season.<\/p>\n From the piece:<\/a><\/p>\n 2. James Franklin, Penn State:\u00a0He led Penn State to its first two CFP wins last season and will have quite possibly his best overall team, led by quarterback\u00a0Drew Allar<\/a>. But Franklin still faces the perception that he can\u2019t win the biggest games consistently. Can he deliver Penn State\u2019s first national title since 1986? The ingredients are there \u2014 Allar, running back tandem\u00a0Nicholas Singleton<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Kaytron Allen<\/a>, defensive coordinator Jim Knowles \u2014 but Franklin must now meet the highest of expectations.<\/p>\n Franklin is the only Big Ten coach on the list.<\/p>\n Eyes on Drew Allar<\/p>\n Quarterbacks make the preseason Heisman odds world go \u2019round, and this year is no different with Arch Manning leading the way ahead of his first season as a starter. ESPN didn\u2019t follow the odds on its breakdown of the top 10 Heisman contenders, though.<\/p>\n While seven of the 10 spots are devoted to quarterbacks around college football, including Drew Allar at No. 6, it put Clemson\u2019s Cade Klubnik at No. 1, Manning at No. 2, LSU\u2019s Garrett Nussmeier at No. 4, and Florida\u2019s D.J. Lagway all ahead of the Nittany Lions\u2019 signal-caller.<\/p>\n