Despite last year’s struggles, Penn State football found itself ranked No. 19 in the first AP Top 25 Poll of the 2021 college football season Monday.

This now makes it the fifth consecutive year James Franklin’s squad has been included in the preseason AP Top 25. The Nittany Lions came in at No. 7 ahead of last year’s abbreviated all Big Ten slate, and were ranked No. 15 entering the 2019 season.

Despite joining the top 10 of the poll before the 2020 campaign, Penn State fell out of the top 25 altogether after losses to Indiana and Ohio State. The Nittany Lions went on to lose to Maryland, Nebraska, and Iowa, and despite winning their final four games of the campaign, never rejoined the AP Top 25.

Penn State is one of five Big Ten squads ranked in this preseason Top 25, as Franklin’s group sits behind Ohio State (No. 4), Wisconsin (No. 12), Indiana (No. 17), and Iowa (No. 18). The Nittany Lions also fall one spot ahead of Washington.

As for the USA Today Coaches Poll, Penn State came in at No. 20. Ohio State (No. 4), Wisconsin (No. 15), Indiana (No. 17), and Iowa (No. 18) were all ranked ahead of the Nittany Lions in that poll.

Penn State will have the chance to prove if its ranking is accurate right off the bat this season. The blue and white will kick off the 2021 campaign with a trip to Camp Randall Stadium to play No. 12 Wisconsin at noon Saturday, September 4.