Penn State received its highest preseason ranking since 1999 when it was voted No. 3 Monday in the USA Today coaches poll.

The Nittany Lions were last ranked in the top five in a major preseason poll 26 years ago when they began the season at No. 3 in The Associated Press media poll and at No. 4 in the coaches poll.

In this year’s coaches preseason poll, Penn State was ranked behind No. 1 Texas and No. 2 Ohio State, who will meet in a season opener Aug. 30.

Four other Big Ten teams were ranked in the Top 25: No. 7 Oregon, No. 12 Illinois, No. 14 Michigan and No. 19 Indiana.

The Lions will face Oregon (Sept. 27 at home), Ohio State (Nov. 1 at Ohio Stadium) and Indiana (Nov. 8 at home) in the regular season.

Penn State, which began practice last week, returns 15 starters, including quar

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