Penn State football ranked 18th in AP preseason poll
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 17, 2026, 5:33 PM
Last updated Aug 17, 2026
Penn State football is ranked No. 18 in the Associated Press preseason poll, released on August 17, as they prepare for the 2026 season. The Nittany Lions also hold the No. 17 spot in the US LBM Coaches Poll from earlier this month. This marks the ninth preseason ranking in the last ten years for the program. The team is led by first-year head coach Matt Campbell, with a roster featuring 40 transfers, including senior quarterback Rocco Becht. They will open the season against Marshall on September 5.
- •Penn State holds the No. 18 spot in the AP poll.
- •The team is also ranked No. 17 in the Coaches Poll.
- •This is the ninth preseason ranking in ten years.
- •Rocco Becht leads a squad with 40 transfers.
- •The season opener is against Marshall on September 5.
- 5:33 PMYahoo Sports — Penn State football, Matt Campbell earn Top 20 spot in preseason poll
"Penn State football follows its No. 17 US LBM Coaches Poll ranking with No. 18 in the Associated Press poll, released on Aug. 17.
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