Good news if you’re a fan from Happy Valley. The Associated Press predicts Penn State as a team to go from unranked to ranked by season’s end.

If Penn State does that, the Nittany Lions would land as one of the season’s “overachievers” for Ralph Russo. The Nittany Lions finished a disappointing 7-6 (4-5 B1G) in 2021.

Quarterback Sean Clifford will look to lead Penn State in the rebound. The 6-foot-2 quarterback tossed for 3,107 yards and 21 touchdowns to just 8 interceptions a season ago.

Clifford was also named to the Manning Award watch list, awarded to college football’s top QB. Clifford is also on the radar for the Davey O’Brien and Maxwell Awards.

Penn State will have some opportunities to become ranked early in the season. The Nittany Lions travel to face Purdue in the season opener and SEC foe Auburn on Sept. 17. They will also face Michigan after their bye week on Oct. 15.

If things shake out, Penn State could have some momentum when Ohio State visits Happy Valley on Oct. 29. The Nittany Lions were predicted to finish 3rd in the B1G East according to the conferences media poll.