Penn State entered week 3 ranked No. 2 in the associated press Top 25 rankings. After beating Villanova, 52-6, the Nittany Lions stayed put at No. 2.
Penn State entered the year ranked No. 2 in the preseason AP Top 25 rankings, and has remained in that spot for three straight weeks.
The Nittany Lions have started the season 3-0, but haven't played a team with the caliber to move them up in the rankings.
Penn State Remains No. 2 in AP Poll
After defeating Nevada, FIU and Villanova convincingly through the first three weeks, Penn State will have a week off before opening Big Ten play.
The Nittany Lions will open Big Ten play against No. 6 Oregon. Penn State will have two weeks to prepare for its first major test of the season, when it welcomes Oregon to Happy Valley for its White Out game under the Saturday night lights.
"Andy Kotelnicki is one of the top OC’s in the nation. Penn State has arguably the best RB duo in the country. Drew Allar is solid. Penn State is one of the most talented teams in the country," one AP voter said (h/t apnews.com). "It’s hard to get a good read on the offense. By opening with three tomato cans, James Franklin is not going to open up the entire playbook.
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— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) September 13, 2025
"I’m sure he’s saving a lot for Oregon in two weeks. I’d give Penn State an incomplete right now. We won’t really now if this is "the year" or not until the Oregon game."
Penn State won each of its first three games, but the Nittany Lions didn't look particularly special in any of the games. Oregon will be the first test, and everyone will get a chance to truly see what Penn State is made of in 2025.