Penn State Ranked High in Preseason AP Poll

The Penn State Nittany Lions entered the 2025 season ranked No. 2 in the preseason Associated Press Poll.

The Nittany Lions would drop to No. 3 before losing to Oregon in overtime at home. After losing to UCLA the next week, PSU would not be ranked again for the remainder of the season. James Franklin was fired as head coach after losing to Northwestern on Oct. 11.

Penn State finished the 2025 season with some momentum, winning its final four games, including a 22-10 win over Clemson in the Pinstripe Bowl. 

AP voters have high hopes for new head coach Matt Campbell and his 24 Iowa State transfers. In the new AP Poll released on Monday, PSU is ranked No. 18. 

That's a high ranking for a team with questions about the overall roster in the Big Ten. Former Big 12 players will be asked to transition to play in the Big Ten conference this season, including transfer quarterback Rocco Becht, coming off two shoulder injuries last year. 

There are reasons to believe Penn State could challenge for the College Football Playoff this year. PSU has a favorable schedule. The Nittany Lions will not play Indiana, Oregon, or Ohio State this year, three programs expected to contend for the Big Ten championship and CFP. 

PSU has just three ranked games on its schedule. The Nittany Lions will host No. 14 USC on Oct. 10 before traveling to play No. 16 Michigan on Oct. 17. On Nov. 7, Penn State will travel to play No. 17 Washington.

If Penn State manages to win one or two of those ranked games, they could have an argument to make the CFP if they go undefeated or lose just one other game and finish 10-2. 

With that being said, it's unlikely the Nittany Lions have a roster capable of competing for the national championship. Campbell still needs time and better resources to bring in elite talent in the transfer portal. 

A solid foundation would be built by Penn State going at least 9-3 this season, offering the program and recruits hope for a CFP run in the future.