The national pundits feel optimistic about Penn State football this season, as the preseason AP Top-25 Poll ranks Penn State as the nation’s No. 31 team.

The Nittany Lions received 20 points in the poll, the fourth-most of any Big Ten team.

Penn State’s schedule features two top-five opponents: Ohio State (the first-ever unanimous preseason No. 1) and Michigan State (No. 5). Wisconsin comes in at No. 20, while Nebraska and Michigan received six and two points, respectively. The program received a lot of flak for its weak schedule this year, but suddenly is meeting two of the best teams in the nation late in the season.

If the Lions build enough momentum, the team may be ranked for the first time since the 2012 TicketCity Bowl, where it was No. 24. With an easy non-conference schedule preceding the daunting Big Ten schedule, having one or zero losses through the first six games could be enough to have Penn State break into the rankings.

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