Penn State Nudges Up the AP Rankings After Third Straight Win

Week three of the 2026 college football season wrapped up with a textbook‑style demolition. Penn State’s Nittany Lions blew out the Buffalo Bulls, 55‑13, at Beaver Stadium and, as a result, inched a notch higher in the Associated Press Top 25 for the second consecutive week.

It’s not just the score that caught fans’ attention. The performance gave coach Matt Campbell a fresh batch of data points to chew on. Even after a night that looked like a parade, Campbell was quick to remind everyone that perfection is still a few weeks away. “We’re not where we need to be yet,” he said in the post‑game press conference, a sentiment that feels oddly sincere coming from a coach who has already taken the program to the top of the poll.

The Nittany Lions now sit at 3‑0 on the season, matching their start from last year. The offense clicked on multiple levels—quarterback Rocco Becht threw for 212 yards and two touchdowns, while the ground game piled up 273 rushing yards, with Quinton Martin Jr. leading the charge. Meanwhile, the defense held Buffalo to a mere 80 yards in the first half, an effort that helped seal the victory.

All of that production translated into a modest bump in the AP rankings. Penn State moved up a few spots, landing somewhere in the low‑teens, comfortably ahead of most of its non‑conference opponents and edging closer to perennial powerhouses.

What does this mean for the Lions as they head into Big Ten play? The next test arrives Saturday against Wisconsin, a game that will likely determine whether the poll climb is a fleeting moment or the start of a deeper run. Campbell’s staff will be hoping the consistency shown against Buffalo can carry over against a tougher, more disciplined opponent.

Fans are already buzzing. Social media feeds are peppered with “We’re back!” emojis, while some skeptics point out that Buffalo isn’t exactly a marquee foe. Still, a dominant win, a rise in the poll, and a 3‑0 record—that’s enough to keep the excitement humming through State College.

In short, the Nittany Lions have handed themselves a vote of confidence from the pollsters and a growing sense of belief within the locker room. If they can keep polishing the pieces that brought them this success, the rest of the season could be a very interesting ride.