After a disappointing end to the 2021 season, Penn State football went unranked in the first AP Top 25 Poll of the 2022 college football season Monday. The Nittany Lions received 160 votes but still had three teams in front of them that didn’t break into the top 25.

This marks the first time James Franklin’s squad is outside the preseason top 25 since 2016. The Nittany Lions came in at No. 19 before last year’s campaign and were ranked No. 7 entering the shortened 2020 season.

It’s not surprising that Penn State isn’t included in the top 25 after losing many big names following last season, especially on the defensive side of the football. Star players such as Jaquan Brisker, Jesse Luketa, Arnold Ebiketie, and more all found new homes in the NFL, not to mention Jahan Dotson moving on, as well.

The Nittany Lions are one of ten Big Ten teams to be left unranked heading into the season, as conference foes Ohio State (No. 2), Michigan (No. 8), Michigan State (No. 15), and Wisconsin (No. 18) will start the season inside the top 25.

As for the USA Today Coaches Poll, Penn State was unranked there, as well. Ohio State (No. 2), Michigan (No. 6), Michigan State (No. 14), and Wisconsin (No. 20) were all ranked ahead of the Nittany Lions in that poll.

Still, it’s not time to push the panic button. We’ll find out if the blue and white are top 25-worthy soon, as the Nittany Lions will travel to Ross-Ade Stadium for a tough opening matchup with Purdue at 8 p.m. on Thursday, September 1.