Ranking the top 50 college football programs of all time

Nov 26, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Curtis Samuel (4) celebrates after scoring the game winning touchdown against the Michigan Wolverines in the second overtime at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won the game 30-27 in double overtime.Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports /

42 of 50

Dec 3, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs against the Wisconsin Badgers in the second half during the Big Ten Championship college football game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

After watching their history tarnished by the Joe Paterno-Jerry Sandusky controversy, the Penn State Nittany Lions have fought hard to put that in the past and move forward. Hiring two solid head coaches since Paterno’s resignation and passing have been the key to a Big Ten title run in 2016.

Paterno was the Nittany Lions’ head coach for 45 years, going 409-136-3 during that span with 37 bowl games and two claimed national titles. The school also has 14 unclaimed national titles in its history, with a majority of them coming under Paterno’s reign. However, the Sandusky scandal scarred his legacy.

Since him, the school has hired Bill O’Brien, who coached for two seasons and went 15-9, and most recently James Franklin. O’Brien left for the Houston Texans’ head coaching job and Franklin came to Happy Valley from Vanderbilt.

Living up to the high expectations that Penn State fans bestow upon head coaches is not easy, but Franklin has come into his own a little, winning his first Big Ten crown in 2016. Penn State now has five conference championships.

The Nittany Lions rank eighth all-time among active FBS schools in total wins and their 28 bowl wins place them in the top 10 in that category as well.

John Cappelletti is the school’s only Heisman Trophy recipient. The Nittany Lions have been known for putting linebackers in the NFL on a regular basis as well with guys like Sean Lee, Paul Posluszny, LaVar Arrington, Dan Connor, Tamba Hali, Gerald Hodges and Tim Shaw.

Home/College Football