Penn State isn’t nearly the hated rival for Ohio State of that team up north, but since joining the Big Ten, the Nittany Lions have become a familiar foe for the Buckeyes. And, since James Franklin took over in Happy Valley, Ohio State has held the clear upper hand. The Buckeyes are 10-1 against the Franklin-led Nittany Lions, which is no small feat considering Penn State’s ascension to the status of a national contender.
Yet, Ohio State, the defending national champions, enters the 2025 season one spot behind Penn State in the AP Poll. The Buckeyes still have the edge, but the perception is that the gap is closing.