Penn State Climbs to No. 7 in ESPN's SP+ Rankings, Eyeing College Football Playoff Spot

Penn State may not be in everyone's top 10 predictions, but ESPN's SP+ rankings have consistently placed the Nittany Lions at No. 7. Analyst Bill Connelly's data-driven metric factors in returning production, recent recruiting, and team history to determine rankings. Despite fluctuations in other teams' positions, the top 10 has remained relatively stable over the last few months.

At the top of the rankings are teams like Georgia, Ohio State, Oregon, Texas, and Alabama. Penn State is just behind Michigan in the rankings, making them a strong contender for the newly-expanded College Football Playoff field according to Connelly's model.

Connelly's analysis also highlights Penn State's returning production, with the team ranked at No. 37 overall. The Nittany Lions have a significant percentage of their production back on both offense and defense, positioning them well for the upcoming season.

With a 72.8 percent chance of achieving a 10-2 record or better, Penn State is primed to make a significant impact on the college football stage. As the season approaches, the Nittany Lions are gearing up for what could be a thrilling campaign.