Where does Penn State rank in the preseason Associated Press Poll?

Expectations are sky high for Penn State entering the 2025 season. That was evident again on Monday, when Penn State was ranked No. 2 in the preseason Associated Press Poll. You have to go back to 1999 to find the last time the Nittany Lions were ranked among the nation’s top three programs to start the season. Penn State was also ranked No. 3 in the preseason USA Today Coaches Poll last week.

While Texas holds the top spot heading into the season, the total vote margin was closest the preseason poll has seen since 1998, with Texas earning 1,552 votes compared to Penn State’s 1,547.

Following last year’s semifinal run in the College Football Playoffs, Penn State brought back many of its key contributors for their senior seasons, most notably quarterback Drew Allar, running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, as well as edge rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton. Penn State also has one of the deepest and most talented offensive lines in the country.

But even beyond the players, Penn State also hired arguably the best defensive coordinator in the game, making former Ohio State assistant Jim Knowles the highest-paid assistant coach in the country. Head coach James Franklin was also able to replace Ja’Juan Seider’s departure with the addition of Stan Drayton.

Link: BetMGM updated Penn State football odds for the 2025 season

“I’m really excited about the additions we made to our staff, Jim Knowles and Stan Drayton,” said Franklin at Penn State’s media day on Aug. 2. “Both guys with head coaching experience, both guys with national championship experience. It’s been great having them and they’re both doing a phenomenal job.

“I said it at Big Ten Media Days; when you look at all of our personnel, not just the players, but the staff and the players, it’s the best combination in my 12 years here. The depth, the experience, the talent is impressive.”

Penn State is one of six teams from the Big Ten that start the season among the AP Top 25. Ohio State is ranked just behind the Nittany Lions at No. 3 overall, while Oregon is ranked No. 7. You’ll then find Illinois at No. 12, Michigan at No. 14 and Indiana at No. 20.

Preseason Associated Press Poll (Aug. 11)

1) Texas (25 first-place votes)
2) Penn State (23)
3) Ohio State (11)
4) Clemson (4)
5) Georgia (1)
6) Notre Dame
7) Oregon (1)
8) Alabama
9) LSU
10) Miami
11) Arizona State
12) Illinois

Link: Why freshman Daryus Dixson could play early at Penn State

13) South Carolina
14) Michigan
15) Florida
16) SMU
17) Kansas State
18) Oklahoma
19) Texas A&M
20) Indiana
21) Ole Miss
22) Iowa State
23) Texas Tech
24) Tennessee
25) Boise State

Others Receiving Votes: BYU 156, Utah 144, Baylor 132, Louisville 90, Southern Cal 64, Georgia Tech 63, Missouri 33, Tulane 23, Nebraska 23, UNLV 21, Toledo 13, Auburn 10, James Madison 9, Memphis 9, Florida St. 8, Duke 6, Liberty 5, Navy 5, Iowa 5, TCU 4, Pittsburgh 3, Army 2, Colorado 1, Louisiana-Lafayette 1.