Penn State Football ranked 3rd in the Big Ten Preseason Media Poll

Ahead of the 2023 Big Ten Media days, the media polls have been released and the Penn State football team stands behind their two toughest foes. But in all fairness, it makes sense to be ranked behind the teams you haven’t beaten the year prior. These Big Ten Preseason Media poll rankings are simply an arbitrary value assigned to a team based on realistic expectations ahead of the 2023 season, but it will be interesting to review these polls again once the season is over to see how the season went for QB Drew Allar and the rest of the Nittany Lions.

Penn State Football ranked 3rd in the Big Ten Preseason Media Poll

The Big Ten Media Preseason poll reported by Brett McMurphy of the Athletic was released on social media on Tuesday morning ahead of the Big Ten Media days that kick off today. Penn State enters the preseason as the third-best team in the Big Ten East while receiving two first-place votes.

Big Ten preseason media poll fit via @nwbaird

East
1-Michigan (27 1st place votes)
2-Ohio State (8)
3-Penn State (2)
4-Maryland
5-Michigan State
6-Rutgers
7-Indiana

West

1-Wisconsin (20)
2-Iowa (16)
3-Minnesota (1)
4-Illinois
5-Nebraska
6-Purdue
7-Northwestern

— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) July 25, 2023

This feels like a fair assessment ahead of the 2023 season. Until the Nittany Lions can prove they can beat Ohio State and Michigan, they should not be ranked ahead of them on any preseason poll. It does feel like this year Penn State is better equip for the battle with both schools, but they will need to prove it on the field this fall.

QB Drew Allar could be the difference maker in 2023

Last season Penn State was defeated by Michigan in Ann Arbor 41-17 in an embarrassing performance. They had a closer game with Ohio State until it slipped through their hands in the final minutes losing 44-31. The difference in 2023 is Drew Allar will take over as the starting QB for the Nittany Lions and the Penn State coaching staff has continuity coming into this season.

Drew Allar has a lot riding on his shoulders this fall but he certainly has all of the tools around him to be successful. Great offensive line play, two explosive running backs, receivers, and tight ends with depth, and one of the best defensive units in the country. If Allar can find a way to beat Ohio State and Michigan in the same season, Penn State would be in a great position to secure a college football playoff berth.

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