Penn State beats out Michigan for a top three spot in Big Ten preseason poll

The Nittany Lions are back on the Big Ten podium, stunningly ahead of the defending national champion Michigan Wolverines.

Trailing behind only Ohio State and newcomer Oregon, Penn State finds itself third in the Big Ten media preseason poll.

Last season, the Nittany Lions finished the regular season at 10-2 overall, followed by a loss to Ole Miss in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl.

Quarterback Drew Allar and head coach James Franklin are looking to repeat, if not grow, their success from last year.

Allar, with an additional year of experience under his belt, is projected to be much more accurate and much more reliable player both on and off the field.

The Big Ten also issued out player and coach awards this week but left out the Nittany Lions from any team recognition.

Oregon's Dan Lanning earned the preseason Coach of the Year Award and the Duck quarterback Dillon Gabriel earned the preseason Offensive Player of the Year.

Michigan's Will Johnson, cornerback, won the preseason Defensive Player of the Year award for the conference.

Penn State will host Ohio State at home on Nov. 2. The Nittany Lions get to avoid the Michigan Wolverines this season as well as the Oregon Ducks.

The Nittany Lions' 2024 season kicks off on Aug. 31 against the West Virginia Mountaineers in Morgantown, WV.

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