The Penn State Nittany Lions have moved down to the No. 3 position in the latest Associated Press Top 25 poll. The shift comes after the team had an idle week with no game scheduled, which allowed the Miami Hurricanes to move into the No. 2 spot following a series of strong performances.
Key Takeaways
- Penn State's football team fell from No. 2 to No. 3 in the national rankings.
- The drop occurred during a bye week when the team did not play.
- The Miami Hurricanes, with victories over two ranked teams, climbed to the No. 2 position.
- Ohio State maintained its No. 1 ranking, receiving 52 of 66 first-place votes.
- This ranking shift happens as Penn State's Beaver Stadium undergoes a $700 million renovation project.
Details of the AP Poll Shift
Penn State's hold on the No. 2 ranking, which it had maintained since the preseason, was disrupted this week. Despite not playing a game, the Nittany Lions were surpassed by the Miami Hurricanes. Miami's ascent is attributed to a strong start to their season, which includes wins against two ranked opponents, propelling them to their highest ranking since 2017.
The top of the poll remains occupied by Ohio State, which was also idle but held its position firmly. According to the Associated Press, the distribution of first-place votes shows Ohio State with a commanding lead.
First-Place Vote Distribution
- Ohio State: 52 votes
- Miami: 7 votes
- Penn State: 5 votes
- Oregon: 1 vote
- Oklahoma: 1 vote
The change in rankings highlights the competitive nature of the top tier of college football, where a team's position can be affected even during a week off, depending on the performance of its rivals.
Penn State's 2025 Season Outlook
The Nittany Lions are aiming for a spot in the College Football Playoffs and have had a successful start to their 2025 campaign. The team secured decisive victories in its first three games.
Early Season Results
- August 30: Win vs. Nevada (46-11)
- September 6: Win vs. FIU (34-0)
- September 13: Win vs. Villanova (52-6)
The schedule ahead presents several significant challenges that will be crucial to their playoff hopes. Key upcoming games include a highly anticipated "White Out" matchup against Oregon and a road game against top-ranked Ohio State.
Key Upcoming Games for Penn State
The remainder of the 2025 regular season schedule includes several important matchups:
- September 27: vs. Oregon (White Out)
- October 4: at UCLA
- October 11: vs. Northwestern (Homecoming)
- November 1: at Ohio State
- November 29: at Rutgers
Beaver Stadium Undergoes Major Transformation
In addition to the on-field action, a significant development for the program is the ongoing $700 million renovation of Beaver Stadium. The large-scale project is designed to modernize the facility and enhance the fan experience, with a scheduled completion date before the 2027 football season.
Fans attending games during the 2025 season will notice the initial phases of this construction. The university has stated that its goal is to maintain Beaver Stadium's status as one of the largest-capacity stadiums in the country throughout the renovation process.
Temporary Changes for the 2025 Season
To accommodate the construction while still serving a large number of fans, several temporary measures have been put in place. These changes were first visible to the public during the Blue-White Game earlier this year.
The temporary additions include:
- Installation of 7,900 temporary bleacher seats located above the suite level.
- Addition of temporary concession stands to serve fans in the newly added seating areas.
- Placement of temporary restroom facilities to manage the needs of the large crowds.
These adjustments are part of a multi-year plan to overhaul the historic stadium, ensuring it meets modern standards for safety, accessibility, and amenities while preserving its iconic atmosphere.