Penn State will begin the season as a ranked team, as they’re No. 18 in the preseason AP poll. After a promising season that went off the rails in 2025, finishing the year unranked, the Nittany Lions are back in the top 25 for 2026 in Matt Campbell’s first year as the Lions head coach.
Penn State is one of eight teams from the Big Ten in the preseason top 25, with Ohio State and Oregon taking the top two spots, respectively. Defending national champion Indiana starts the season at No. 6, and a logjam in the teens with USC, Michigan, Washington, and the aforementioned Nittany Lions occupying spots 15 through 18. Iowa rounds up the Big Ten contingent at No. 22.
…and yes, Missouri is ranked at No. 25. They’re always ranked at No. 25.