7 days ago
Penn State receives highest preseason US LBM Coaches Poll ranking since 1999
A season of raised expectations saw the bar officially raised one more time this summer for the Penn State Nittany Lions. The preseason US LBM Coaches Poll was released on Monday, and Penn State is set to start the season ranked No. 3 in the nation. Penn State received 14 first-place votes in the preseason poll.
Texas takes the top spot in the preseason coaches poll with 28 first-place votes. Defending national champion Ohio State received 20 first-place votes and is ranked second in the preseason poll.
Other Big Ten teams ranked in the preseason coaches poll include Oregon (no. 7), Illinois (no. 12), Michigan (no. 14), and Indiana (no. 19).
Penn State returns a loaded roster this season from a team that made a run to an appearance in the Big Ten championship game and the semifinal of the College Football Playoff. Penn State was one drive away from playing for the national championship, which means the program is looking to take care of some unfinished business in 2025.
This is Penn State's highest preseason ranking in the coaches poll since starting off the 1999 season ranked no. 4 . Penn State dominated preseason no. 3 Arizona at home in the Pigskin Classic to back up that preseason ranking right out of the gates.
Penn State started the 1997 season ranked no. 2 in the coaches poll behind Florida. The Nittany Lions started off no. 1 in the preseason AP Top 25 that same season. Penn State ended that 1997 season with a final record of 9-3 after seeing things fall apart quickly with a shocking loss at home to Minnesota.
Penn State returns starting quarterback Drew Allar and arguably the best running back duo in the nation with Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen. Those three will play behind one of the best offensive lines James Franklin has had to work with, and the team adds key transfer additions with Trebor Pena, Kyron Hudson, and DeVonte Ross to address a need at wide receiver.
The defense is highlighted by the offseason hire of defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, who is excited to work with defensive linemen like Zane Durant and Dani Dennis-Sutton. Penn State's secondary will be in stable hands with A.J. Harris and Zakee Wheatley looking to make big plays and create turnovers. The rise of Tony Rojas at linebacker will also keep Penn State's defense among the best in the Big Ten and the nation.
Penn State's 2025 schedule gets started at home with a game against Nevada on Saturday, Aug. 30.
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