Penn State football has earned a spot in the preseason rankings, securing the No. 18 position in the Associated Press Top 25 poll. The announcement marks a significant moment for the program under new head coach Matt Campbell, who takes over after the team stumbled through 2025 and finished the season unranked following a strong start.
The Big Ten conference dominates the preseason poll with eight teams ranked in the top 25. Ohio State and Oregon hold down the top two spots, while defending national champion Indiana sits at No. 6. The Big Ten’s strength is evident in the middle tier of the rankings, where USC, Michigan, Washington, and Penn State occupy spots 15 through 18. Iowa completes the conference’s representation in the poll at No. 22.
Campbell’s first year leading the Nittany Lions comes with high expectations after a disappointing 2025 campaign. The preseason ranking suggests voters believe the program can rebound and compete within a loaded Big Ten conference.
Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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