Penn State will need to work its way back into the rankings after a dismal end to the 2021 campaign, which dropped the team’s record to 11-11 in the last two seasons.
The Nittany Lions were shut out completely from the top 25 in the initial USA Today Coaches preseason poll. WIth Houston occupying #25 with 257 points, the Iowa Hawkeyes came in at #26 with 248 points, while Penn State was #27 with 246 points.
Alabama led the way, followed by Ohio State, defending national champs Georgia, and Notre Dame to round out the top four.