The 2026 college football season is almost here, and Penn State is looking to wipe the slate clean from last year’s disappointment. They didn’t take the necessary steps to build on their first College Football Playoff appearance in 2024, but they’re trying to leave that in the past now.
There has been a lot of love shown to the Nittany Lions in recent months when it comes to unofficial rankings and expectations for the season. Now, one of the most prestigious ranking systems in sports is back.
The official preseason AP Poll was released today, ranking the 25 best teams in college football, and Penn State came in at No. 18. That’s about as good as anyone could’ve hoped for after the debacle that last season brought, and it’s almost spot on from where the school was placed on the US LBM Coaches Poll earlier this month.
The rankings also give the Nittany Lions another reason to be grateful for their schedule, as they dodge the top two teams — Ohio State and Oregon. Indiana is the one other Big Ten team ranked in the top 10, another school that Penn State avoids, so there is a big opportunity here for the Blue and White.
This collection of teams will continue to transform throughout the season, but 18th in the country isn’t a bad start for Penn State. Let’s see if they can keep climbing the ladder once the season begins next month against Marshall.
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This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Penn State’s 2025 woes erased after preseason AP Poll results