Penn State punter Riley Thompson talks Aussie football, journey to American game
The Australian native is entering his final season playing for the Nittany Lions.
Penn State football expects to own its highest preseason ranking in 26 years when the major polls are released during August training camp.
For now, they are raking in predictions to win the gaudy Big Ten.
Coach James Franklin’s deepest, most talented team heads to Big Ten Media Days this week in Las Vegas lauded by expectations to win their first league title in nine years — by unseating reigning national champ Ohio State and league champ Oregon.
The Lions were picked to win the Big Ten this week so far by the likes of USA Today Sports Network, the Cleveland.com Preseason Big Ten Football Poll and Kings of the North College Football.
Penn State topped the Cleveland.com poll for the first time since it began 15 years ago. PSU edged out Ohio State by one vote from the 25-member media panel with Oregon coming in third. Franklin also was voted the conference’s preseason coach of the year.
In the USA Today poll, the Lions are followed in Top 10 order by Ohio State, Oregon, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, USC, Nebraska and Washington (tied) and Iowa.
USA Today voters picked Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith as its player of the year.
Penn State guard Vega Ioane was one of five unanimous All-Big Ten preseason selections. Allar, running back Nick Singleton and defensive tackle Zane Durant also made the all-league team.
Penn State will be featured on Wednesday’s media days in Vegas with Franklin, quarterback Drew Allar, offensive lineman Nick Dawkins and safety Zakee Wheatley. While the conference will release a list of 10 “players to watch” Tuesday for the upcoming season, it will not issue a predicted order of team finishes.
The Lions have not won the Big Ten since their surprise uprising in 2016. They lost in last year’s title game to Oregon, 45-37, in their first trip back to Indianapolis. They went on to win two College Football Playoff games before dropping their heartbreaking semifinal to Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl.
The Big Ten, meanwhile, will be looking for its third straight national champion, following Michigan in 2023 and the Buckeyes last year.
Frank Bodani covers Penn State football for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at fbodani@ydr.com and follow
