This post was updated July 14 at 10:16 p.m.

UCLA is just weeks away from joining the Big Ten. After 96 years and 123 national championships in the Pac-12, the Bruins are at the forefront of the Big Ten’s West Coast expansion. Prior to UCLA’s official move, Daily Bruin Sports will preview the football, men’s basketball and other top programs of each school.

Football
2023 record: 10-3, 7-2 Big Ten
Coach: James Franklin

Repetition.

The narrative surrounding Penn State football has remained the same since head coach James Franklin took over the program in 2014.

The Nittany Lions regularly bulldoze through inferior opponents. But when lights turn bright, the two-time national champions struggle to pull victory in high-stakes affairs.

Despite Franklin’s .724 winning percentage since 2016 – ranking sixth among current FBS coaches – the Franklin-led Nittany Lions are 4-16 against powerhouses – in the conference and nation – Ohio State and Michigan.

While Penn State has failed to reach the College Football Playoff since its inception in 2014, 2024 may be its best chance since Heisman Finalist Saquon Barkely led the school to a Big Ten championship and a trip to the Rose Bowl in the 2016 season.

With a weak Big Ten schedule – including Pac-12 additions UCLA, USC and Washington but without Michigan, the reigning national champions – and an expanded 12-team playoff format, it could be a program-altering year for Penn State.

Quarterback Drew Allar could prove to be the difference-maker in the Nittany Lions’ run for a national championship. If the Medina, Ohio, local can ramp up his production in his second year as the team’s starting signal-caller, Penn State’s hopes of a national title could prevail.

Despite leading the Big Ten with 36.2 points per game, Penn State ranks sixth in passing yards and eighth in completion percentage. But what the team lacks in passing prowess, it compensates for on the ground – ranking second in the conference in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns.

The team’s proficiency in the running game is highlighted by the running back tandem of Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton. The returning duo combined for 14 rushing touchdowns and 1,654 rushing yards in 2023.

Despite occasional offensive setbacks, defense has long been Penn State’s Hercules. Allowing just 13.46 points per game – good for third in the nation – the Nittany Lion defense also ranked first in the Big Ten in sacks and tackles for loss, second in forced fumbles and fifth in interceptions last season.

But with eight members of the 2023 roster joining the NFL – and 13 in the transfer portal – holes will have to be filled for Penn State in 2024.

Most notably, the team lost first-round picks offensive lineman Olumuyiwa Fashanu and defensive lineman Chop Robinson – who earned first-team All-Big Ten honors with four sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss last season. Keandre Lambert-Smith also entered the portal after recording 1,721 receiving yards and 126 receptions as a Nittany Lion.

The Nittany Lions restocked offensively in the offseason with the recruitment of five-star tight end Luke Reynolds and four-star offensive lineman Cooper Cousins.

In the first year of the expanded Big Ten and College Football Playoff format, mastery on both sides of the ball might be key for Penn State’s first playoff appearance in the James Franklin era.

Men’s basketball
2023-2024 record: 16-17, 9-11 Big Ten
Coach: Mike Rhoades

Rebuild.

A perfect word to describe Penn State men’s basketball.

Six years ago, the Nittany Lions won the National Invitation Tournament.

Five years later in 2023, then-head coach Micah Shrewsberry led the squad to a Big Ten championship – where they lost by just two points to a Zach Edey-led Purdue squad – and the program’s 10th appearance in the Big Dance.

Shortly after leading Penn State to a 23-14 season and historic Round of 32 appearance, Shrewsberry took over the head coaching position at Notre Dame. And one year after what seemed to be Penn State’s resurgence, it suffered its worst season in two years.

A 16-17 record last season preceded a commitment to Mississippi State for guard Kanye Clary – who led the team in points per game with 16.7 – after head coach Mike Rhoades dismissed him from the team.

In the wake of Clary’s – and four others’ – departures, Penn State gained four players through the transfer portal. Center Yanic Niederhauser headlines the pack after ranking 27th in the nation in blocks per game at Northern Illinois and dropping 27 points against Central Michigan last season.

The Nittany Lions’ returners, however, could prove more consequential than their newcomers. The reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, guard Ace Baldwin Jr., decided to return for a fifth year after averaging 14.2 points, six assists and 2.67 steals per game.

Baldwin’s production, coupled with potential breakout seasons for incoming players, could prove pivotal in a declining Nittany Lion squad.

Men’s soccer
2023 record: 10-4-5, 4-2-2 Big Ten
Coach: Jeff Cook

Revenge.

After a shutout loss to its co-champions Indiana in the Big Ten tournament championship, Penn State failed to earn an automatic bid to the 2023 NCAA tournament.

And after missing out on an at-large bid, the Nittany Lions may seek redemption in the 2024 season.

But retribution is easier said than done – particularly after an offensive stalwart’s departure.

Peter Mangione – who led the Big Ten in goals, points and game-winning goals in 2023 – spearheaded Penn State to the conference championship before being signed by FC Cincinnati 2 to an MLS NEXT Pro contract.

Midfielders Caden Grabfelder and Van Danielson are frontrunners to fill Mangione’s void.

Grabfelder started in 16 of the 18 games he appeared in last season, recording three assists and three goals through the stretch. Danielson scored four goals through 19 games on the season, notching the game-tying goal that gave Penn State co-ownership of the Big Ten regular season championship.

The most important piece of the puzzle, though, may be the man at the helm – coach Jeff Cook. Entering his seventh season at Penn State, Cook has eclipsed over 200 collegiate victories.

To tear through another milestone – for himself and his team – Cook’s decisions to replace lost production will take center stage.