It's a long way to the top, but at least it's a start.
Penn State has a long way until it is perceived to be "back" among the upper-echelon of college football, which was made evident by the Nittany Lions falling short of the top 25 in the initial AP poll of the 2015 college football season. Penn State received 20 points, good for 31st overall between Minnesota and South Carolina.
Ohio State is the unanimous number-one selection, with Michigan State entering the season at number five, and Wisconsin at 21. No other Big Ten teams were ranked.