Pat Narduzzi didn’t hide his feelings about the AP Poll on Monday, and Penn State ended up taking the hit.
The Pittsburgh head coach used a question about rankings to swipe at the Nittany Lions, arguing that voters lean too hard on name value when filling out the Top 25.
“I think it's all the brands, you know, everybody wants to look at the logo and gets all infatuated with logos and all that stuff," Narduzzi said. "... I mean, you look at the school down the road gets in the Top 25 and what did they really do to get in the Top 25?"
Penn State’s slide in the rankings has been swift. The Nittany Lions opened the season at No. 18 in the preseason poll, climbed as high as No. 13 after beating Buffalo in Week 3, then dropped out of the rankings entirely after their first Big Ten loss to Wisconsin. A Week 5 loss to Northwestern at new Ryan Field only reinforced the voters’ view of where Penn State stands right now.
That’s the backdrop for Narduzzi’s shot, but it’s also what makes the comment feel unnecessary. The AP Top 25 is built on what teams have actually done week to week, and Penn State’s early-season results didn’t hold up. The Nittany Lions were given a strong starting point, had plenty to prove, and didn’t deliver.
The preseason buzz around Penn State made sense on paper. The program was coming off a 2024 season in which it was on the brink of a national championship appearance, and expectations naturally followed. That set up the 2025 preseason poll, where the Nittany Lions were slotted at No. 2 before the season went off the rails.
This year’s roster and staff overhaul also fed the optimism. Penn State entered the season with what was described as the most experienced quarterback in the NCAA in Rocco Becht, along with his Iowa State offensive weapons now wearing blue and white. The defense brought back linebacker Tony Rojas and added transfers Caleb Bacon and Kooper Ebel.
Still, preseason rankings are always about projection. They’re built from what a team looks like on paper before the games start, and Penn State’s early position in the poll fit that logic. The problem is that the Nittany Lions didn’t back it up.
That’s why they’re out of the AP Top 25 now. Michigan is out, too. Meanwhile, teams such as UCLA, Mississippi State, and Oklahoma State have moved into the poll after outperforming expectations.
So Narduzzi’s dig lands a little strangely. If Penn State were still ranked, maybe there’d be a real argument to make.
But that isn’t the case. For now, Pittsburgh’s coach might be better served worrying about keeping his No.
25 Panthers in the rankings instead of revisiting where Penn State stood five weeks ago.
In Other News...
Penn State Faces Two Big Concerns Before White Out Vs USC
Penn State spent part of the week clearing the air before a White Out showdown with USC, and the messaging from the podium was pointed enough to show where the pressure points are. A press conference with head coach Matt Campbell, defensive coordinator DAnton Lynn, quarterback Rocco Becht, offensive guard Cooper Cousins and linebacker Cael Brezina gave the usual game-week mix of injury updates and self-scouting, with receiver Koby Howards status drawing attention as the Nittany Lions continue to manage their depth.
Just as notable was the tone around the offense and defense after the Northwestern game, where the conversation turned to quarterback play, overall offensive struggles and what this teams identity needs to look like going forward. On the other side of the ball, the defense is still sorting through challenges that were exposed in that recent trip, and with USC coming into a White Out atmosphere, Penn State does not have much margin for lingering issues to linger much longer. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State White Out Just Became A Snapshot Of This Teams Pressure
The White Out is still one of the biggest scenes in college football, but this years version at Beaver Stadium is carrying an unusual edge. Resale prices have dropped sharply in recent days, reflecting how quickly the mood has shifted around Penn State after an 0-2 start in Big Ten play and a pair of recent losses. What is usually a premium ticket has become a barometer for the pressure building around a team that entered the season with much different expectations.
Matt Campbell acknowledged the struggle and said the focus has to be on growth and improvement, even as the program leans on the same fan base that has made the White Out a signature event. The contrast is hard to miss: a national showcase still capable of drawing attention, paired with a season that suddenly feels more fragile than it did a few weeks ago. How Penn State responds on that stage will say a lot about where this team is headed next. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Alumni Are Making Early NFL Noise For Multiple Teams
Penn States NFL footprint was hard to miss in the latest round of games, with several former Nittany Lions turning up in key moments for their new teams. Jahan Dotson found the end zone for the Atlanta Falcons, Pat Freiermuth hauled in a touchdown for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Mike Gesicki scored for the Cincinnati Bengals, giving the program another reminder that its alumni keep showing up on Sundays.
The defense joined the party, too, as Odafe Oweh delivered a sack and forced fumble for the Washington Commanders. Tyler Warren emerged as one of the Indianapolis Colts top targets, while Theo Johnson added a touchdown for the New York Giants, a spread of production that reflects how widely Penn State talent is already being trusted across the league. [Read more 🡒]