Consistency is key.

Penn State football was ranked No. 7 in the latest AP Poll, the Associated Press announced Sunday. The Nittany Lions have been ranked No. 7 since the first preseason poll more than a month ago.

JUST IN: @PennStateFball remains ranked No. 7 in the @AP_Top25 Poll. pic.twitter.com/vNhJAPP3M4

— Onward State (@OnwardState) September 17, 2023

The Nittany Lions most recently defeated Illinois Saturday, taking down the Fighting Illini 30-13 in Champaign, Illinois. Penn State’s defense forced five turnovers against Illinois, including four interceptions.

Before that, Penn State defeated Delaware 63-7 in a rout at Beaver Stadium after taking down West Virginia 38-18. The Nittany Lions averaged attendance of more than 109,000 between the two games.

Penn State was one of four Big Ten teams to earn a ranking in the poll. Michigan (No. 2) and Ohio State (No. 6) were both ranked ahead of the Nittany Lions, while Iowa (No. 25) was the only other ranked conference rival.

James Franklin and Co. remained ranked No. 7 in the USA Today Coaches Poll, too. Michigan (No. 2), Ohio State (No. 4), and Iowa (No. 24) each fell into the top 25 of the poll as well.

Penn State’s most difficult opponent yet comes into Beaver Stadium in less than a week, when Iowa will play in the Nittany Lions’ White Out game at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 23. The game will be broadcast on CBS.