Penn State football was ranked No. 2 in the Associated Press’ (AP) preseason poll. The Nittany Lions moved up three places from their No. 5 ranking at the conclusion of the 2023 season.

Penn State made it as high as No. 3 in the AP poll last season, but following a loss to then-No. 4 Ohio State, the Nittany Lions fell. In the playoffs, Penn State made a late push for the top three after beating No. 8 SMU and then the new No. 8 Boise State in back-to-back weeks, but a loss to No. 2 Notre Dame pushed them to the fifth spot to end the season.

Heading into the 2025 season, the Nittany Lions are generating significant hype due to the return of 14 starters and the potential for four or five first-round draft picks. The only teams ranked ahead of Penn State are No. 1 Texas, which garners attention with Arch Manning under center.

Penn State will play No. 3 Ohio State, No. 7 Oregon, and No. 20 Indiana this season.

Penn State is set to start the season against Mountain West foe Nevada at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 30, in Beaver Stadium. Folks at home can tune in on CBS. The Nittany Lions are 45.5-point favorites against the Wolf Pack.