Everything seems to be falling perfectly into place for the Nittany Lions ahead of the 2025 season, writes Steven Lassan.

Nittany Lions coach James Franklin has said he wants to hire an expert in contracts and negotiations for the 'next generation' of college football.

One of the most surprising coaching moves of the college football offseason was former Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles heading to Penn State to serve in the same role for the Buckeyes' Big Ten rival. The Pennsylvania native had just helped lead Ohio State and the nation's top defense to a College Football Playoff national championship.

James Franklin has picked up his first win over Ohio State since 2016. Penn State poached Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles over the weekend. While Ryan Day and the Buckeyes were busy celebrating their first national title in 10 years with a party at Ohio Stadium,

The Athletic's Stewart Mandel is a preseason Penn State believer, placing the Nittany Lions atop his too-early top 25 for 2025. "I'm skeptical they can actually pull it off," Mandel writes, "but on paper, James Franklin's team deserves that status given how many players are returning."

Knowles will make Penn State's defense one of the best in the country, but his addition might help the offense too.

Knowles, a Philadelphia native with strong ties to the Northeast, transformed the Buckeyes' defense during an impressive three-year stint. Ohio State ranked top three in total defense each of the past two seasons and led the nation by holding opponents to 254.6 yards per game and 4.2 yards per play during a historic campaign.

But the biggest visitor was Penn State head coach James Franklin, who is coming off a College Football Playoff semifinal appearance, and Nittany Lions tight ends coach, Ty Howle, who watched Sutter play basketball against Metamora. Sutter, part of the ...

Jim Knowles, Penn State's new defensive coordinator, brought his Penn State football history and some Philly ethos to his first meeting with the Nittany Lions. Knowles, whom Penn State hired away from Ohio State, introduced himself to the team this week, telling players and fellow coaches, "This is where I want to be."

Penn State and Ohio State will face off in a matchup of Big Ten foes. Thursday's meeting is the first this season between the teams.

Penn State hired Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, a Philadelphia native and St. Joe's Prep graduate.