Penn State men’s soccer will be a marked team for the first time in a while this season.

The Nittany Lions are the No. 3 team in the Big Ten, according to the conference’s coaches. Last season, the team was No. 6 in the preseason poll before shocking the conference with a second-place finish.

As per usual, Indiana is given the No. 1 seed, while Penn State’s Friday opponent, Maryland, is the preseason runner-up.

“We expect a highly competitive game,” head coach Jeff Cook said of Friday’s opening game. “Jumping from training without exhibition to that level of competition for both teams will be unusual.”

In addition to the team rankings, three Nittany Lions were named to the “Players to Watch” list. Sophomore striker Liam Butts headlines the group while redshirt seniors Brandon Hackenberg and Pierre Reedy join him.

Sophomore Liam Butts and redshirt seniors Brandon Hackenberg and Pierre Reedy were all named to the 2020-21 @B1GSoccer Players to Watch List! #WeAre https://t.co/CA609CDW5r

— Penn State Men’s Soccer (@PennStateMSOC) February 18, 2021

Butts and Hackenberg are already in the national spotlight, according to TopDrawerSoccer. According to the 100 Players to Watch list, Butts is the best sophomore in the conference and the No. 23 player nationally. Hackenberg, who was drafted by Orlando City SC last month, is ranked No. 31.

On Wednesday, the Penn State women’s team received its 18th consecutive preseason on top of the conference. Both teams will begin the spring slate on Friday when the men host Maryland at 6 p.m., while the women will travel to Rutgers at noon.