Penn State football ranks just outside of the top-5 in newest post-spring rankings

Today, the most recent version of the 2023 post-spring college football rankings was released by ON3. In these new rankings, Penn State football sits just outside of the top 5 and comes in at No. 3 among Big Ten programs, still behind the Michigan Wolverines and Ohio State Buckeyes.

Drew Allar makin’ plays?

pic.twitter.com/gvMspfyW19

— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 10, 2022

Penn State football ranks No. 7 in newest 2023 post-spring rankings

The Penn State football team has high hopes for their 2023 campaign after one of the best seasons in recent program history a year ago. Despite a rough 7-6 finish in 2021, the Nittany Lions got things back on track last fall, winning 10 of their 12 regular-season games, finishing among the nation’s top 10 yet again, and claiming a dominant victory in the 2023 Rose Bowl game.

Now, with Drew Allar under center and one of the most talented rosters in the Big Ten (and nationally, for that matter), the Penn State Nittany Lions are looking to finally shatter their glass ceiling and make a run at the College Football Playoff.

Kalen King with the diving INT for Penn State at the Rose Bowl‼️

?: ESPN pic.twitter.com/uiOywV4UE0

— ESPN (@espn) January 2, 2023

Depending on what rankings you’re looking at, Penn State football ranks as low as No. 9 and as high as No. 4 in the 2023 post-spring college football rankings. In the latest rankings, however, the Nittany Lions came in at No. 7 nationally.

The six teams ahead of Penn State in ON3’s newest rankings are as follows: Georgia (1), Michigan (2), Ohio State (3), LSU (4), Alabama (5), USC (6). Despite being a bona fide top 10 program last year, James Franklin and his Lions still suffered crushing losses to the Big Ten’s two CFP teams: Michigan and Ohio State.

Aside from the Lions’ Week 1 victory over Purdue, Penn State saw dominant wins in every game but two — the Nittany Lions’ 41-17 loss at Michigan was ugly, and their 4th quarter choke against the Buckeyes felt equally crushing.

Drew Allar ➡️ KLS ?

QB1 and WR1 putting in work ?

?: @PennStateFball pic.twitter.com/xDmc3umaI0

— The Basic Blues Podcast (@BasicBluesPod) March 25, 2023

Heading into the 2023 college football season, Penn State is projected to finish 10-2 yet again, once more suffering losses against the Wolverines and Buckeyes. Still, every outlet has Penn State football as a top 10 team, including the newest rankings, which pin James Franklin’s team as the 7th best in the land.

Thank you for reading Basic Blues Nation. Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and insights on your favorite Penn State athletics. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email us at basicbluesnation@gmail.com or direct message us on our social media. It’s due to your support that we can become one of the market’s fastest-growing Penn State sports outlets!