Penn State eyes championship as season kicks off
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QB Drew Allar is hoping to lead Penn State to the promised land after coming close last year. Photo: Megan Briggs/Getty Images
College football's kickoff weekend starts Saturday and Penn State believes it can recapture glory.
Why it matters: The Nittany Lions are ranked No. 2 in the nation by the Associated Press, their highest preseason ranking since 1997, and football fans in Pennsylvania are hungry for a college football title.
Context: The team made the college football playoffs last year, losing in the semifinal to Notre Dame on a late-game field goal.
What they're saying: Head coach James Franklin said last week that he understands the expectations for this season are high, but added that disappointment last year is keeping the team motivated.
- "You just feel like the way it ended, we had some opportunities, especially early in the game. So, that's what frustrates you . . . It's tremendous motivation for the offseason," he said last week on "Josh Pate's College Football Show."
Yes, but: Penn State has won just one Big Ten conference title when ranked in the AP preseason top 10.
Flashback: The Nittany Lions last claimed the college football national title in 1986.
What we're watching: Quarterback Drew Allar is returning for his senior season and is one of a handful of players in the running for the Heisman Trophy, the sport's top prize.
- Penn State's backfield is arguably the best in the country with running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen expected to power the offense.
- Edge rusher Dani-Dennis Sutton is expected to lead the defense after a breakout season last year.
State of play: At $1.2 billion, Penn State University's football program is the 11th most valuable in the country, according to estimations by The Athletic.
- NCAA teams aren't for sale yet, but name, image and likeness (NIL) has led more to present themselves like professional clubs.
- Beaver Stadium added about 9,500 temporary seats this year to ensure it maintains its over 106,000-seat capacity while it undergoes a $700 million renovation project.
What's next: The Nittany Lions kick off Saturday at 3:30pm against the Nevada Wolf Pack at Beaver Stadium in State College.