Episode Transcript
Derrick Branch:
All right, welcome to the Sports View 360 podcast. I’m your host, Derrick Branch, joined by co-host Brian Bada. We’re going to kick things off with some college football talk tonight. We’re only a few weeks away from Week Zero, and before you know it, it’ll be Week One of the 2025–2026 college football season.
That first week is absolutely loaded. Texas heads to the Horseshoe to take on Ohio State. Alabama travels down to Tallahassee to face Florida State. And Clemson squares off with LSU. Huge slate.
But tonight, we want to focus on one team that a lot of people are buying into this year—Penn State. They had a great run last season, reaching the Big Ten Championship Game before falling to Oregon. They still made the College Football Playoff, beat SMU in the opening round, then knocked off Boise State before losing a close semifinal to Notre Dame.
They return a lot of key pieces: quarterback Drew Allar, running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, and they even hired Jim Knowles away from Ohio State as defensive coordinator. The roster is stacked. But Brian, are you really sold on Penn State being a legitimate contender this season? There’s buzz that they could meet Texas in the national championship game.
Brian Bada:
Yeah, I’m buying the hype. They’re kind of this year’s version of Ohio State—returning a lot of talent—but with the added benefit of bringing back their quarterback. Ohio State didn’t. I think Penn State should be considered the favorite. Now, whether they can actually back it up is another story. But on paper, they’ve got what it takes to win it all.
Derrick Branch:
So, you’ve got them as the Big Ten favorite?
Brian Bada:
Yes. Definitely.
Derrick Branch:
Yeah, I think I’m leaning that way too. Especially now with the 12-team playoff format, the pressure to go undefeated is lessened. You can afford a loss or two if you’ve got a strong resume and play in one of the power conferences.
Penn State used to get left out because of losses to Ohio State or Michigan. That’s less of a factor now. Their schedule is favorable. Their biggest challenges are Ohio State on the road and hosting Oregon. I don’t think UCLA, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan State, or Nebraska pose much of a threat right now.
They’ve got the pieces. The question is whether they can avoid the late-season collapses we’ve seen in the past. But unlike previous years, even two losses might still get them in. So, the path is there.
Brian Bada:
Yeah, I agree. I do think their top-tier talent isn’t quite at the level of past Ohio State or Michigan teams, especially in terms of NFL-caliber players. But the team overall is deep and experienced.
One concern is the wide receiver group. Defensively, I think they’ll be fine under Jim Knowles. Ironically, Knowles was one of the few guys who shut down their former offensive coordinator’s scheme. So bringing him in was a smart move.
Derrick Branch:
Right. Knowles is a big hire. I remember interviewing him back in 2018 when he was with Oklahoma State. Never would’ve thought he’d climb this high—Ohio State, and now Penn State. He’s well-respected and well-compensated. Definitely a mercenary in the coaching game.
Brian Bada:
Yeah, and he was nearly hired by Oklahoma at one point. He’s from Pennsylvania, I believe, but has ties to Oklahoma through family. OU fans thought he was theirs, but he ended up at Penn State. That’s a huge win for them.
And from a timing standpoint, he left Ohio State at the perfect moment. They’re about to lose a lot of talent. The defense likely wouldn’t look as strong next season, which could have hurt his stock.
Derrick Branch:
Exactly. Smart move. If Penn State doesn’t at least make the national championship game this year, it’s a disappointment. And if they don’t win it? It’s a failure. This is the most pressure James Franklin has had in his entire coaching career.
Brian Bada:
Yeah, and I don’t think people are buying into them just because of the expanded playoff. They’re legit. They’ve got the returning talent. If they get a good draw again, they could go even deeper.
Derrick Branch:
So bottom line, we’re both sold on Penn State in 2025. They’ve got the roster, the schedule, and the coaching. All the pieces are there. Now it’s just a matter of executing.
Show Your Support
Show your school pride with officially licensed NCAA gear—jerseys, hats, hoodies, and more—available now through our Fanatics affiliate link. Whether you’re tailgating, heading to the game, or watching from home, make sure you’re geared up like a true fan.
👉 Click here to shop NCAA fan gear now and support Sports View 360 with every purchase!
(As an affiliate partner, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases—thank you for supporting independent college football coverage!)
