After failing to earn a preseason ranking in each season since the Nittany Lions secured the No. 25 spot in 2011, James Franklin's squad earned this one after last year's breakout season, winning 11 games en route to a Big Ten title and a Rose Bowl appearance.
And who can blame us with all of this preseason hype?
Saquon Barkley, Marcus Allen, Mike Gesicki, Trace McSorley, and Jason Cabinda were recognized by 247Sports in its latest ranking of the best college football players.
Miles Sanders, Jonathan Holland, Shareef Miller, and Koa Farmer will each take on a more substantial role for Penn State this season.
Florida State safety Derwin James, USC quarterback Sam Darnold, and Oklahoma signal caller Baker Mayfield barely edged out Barkley.
Former Penn State kicker Joey Julius, who left the program last Tuesday, gave ESPN an incredibly personal account of the struggles that nearly caused him to end his life.