Penn State Football: Nittany Lions Land at No. 20 in Preseason Coaches Poll

Penn State will start the season at No. 20 in the first coaches poll of the season following its preseason release on Tuesday afternoon.

The Nittany Lions are one of five Big Ten teams in the Top 25 with Penn State slated to meet the other four starting with No. 15 Wisconsin on the road to open the 2021 season. Iowa checks in at No. 18, while Indiana sits one spot higher at No. 17 in the poll.

The Badgers are the highest ranked Week 1 opponent for Penn State since facing No. 2 Miami in 2001.

As per usual, Ohio State rounds out the group at No. 4 behind Oklahoma, Clemson and Alabama.

Penn State started last year 0-5 before winning each of its last four games of the abbreviated season. The Nittany Lions will travel to Ohio State and Iowa this year but will host Michigan (which received 30 points in the poll but is unranked) and Indiana as Penn State looks to avenge its overtime loss to the Hoosiers in 2020.

Ball State, which is set to face Penn State in its home opener in Week 2, received five points in the poll. The Cardinals are favorites to win the MAC this upcoming season according to preseason evaluations. Auburn, Penn State’s opponent in Week 3, also received votes in the poll but is unranked.

In total, Penn State will face seven teams either ranked or receiving votes in the coaches poll. The AP Poll is slated for release this coming Monday.