Notre Dame, Penn State Lead 2025 Football Hopes

Notre Dame and Penn State are entering the 2025 college football season with strong momentum following successful 2024 campaigns. Notre Dame, coming off a 14-2 season and a national championship game appearance, is favored by 2.5 points in their opening matchup against Miami and faces questions at the quarterback position. Coach Marcus Freeman is focusing on preparing his team for high-pressure scenarios. Penn State, led by returning quarterback Drew Allar, is ranked in the top five and holds the fourth-best odds to win the 2025-26 national championship, while coach James Franklin faces growing pressure to deliver a title. The Nittany Lions continue to strengthen their roster with top recruits like Elijah Littlejohn, Malachi Goodman, and tight end prospect Pierce Petersohn. Both programs are reflecting on notable moments from recent history as they gear up for a highly anticipated season.