Penn State Ranked Number 5 in Latest AP Poll

Last week, PSU moved up in the rankings after a demolishing of Akron, having been number six preseason. This week?

Despite a double-digit victory over an historical rival, Penn State dropped a spot to number five in this week’s AP poll. However disappointing this may be to some fans, the drop is understandable - all four teams now ahead of the Nittany Lions have wins over top fifteen foes:

1. Alabama (beat then-#3 FSU, 24-7, in week one)
2. Oklahoma (beat then-#2 Ohio State, 31-16, this week)
3. Clemson (beat then-#13 Auburn, 14-6, this week)
4. USC (beat then-#14 Stanford, 42-24, this week)

Contrasting that is Penn State, who destroyed the Zips 52-0 in week one, then didn’t cover the spread against Pitt in week two. In order to stay alive for the playoffs, the Lions will need to keep winning - the rest should take care of itself.

For Penn State’s conference mates, Michigan moved up to number 7 after easily dismantling Luke Fickell’s Cincinnati Bearcats, OSU dropped to number three in the division after being embarrassed at home, and Wisconsin stayed at number nine. Maryland, Iowa, and Michigan State were amongst the other receiving votes.

You can see the entire poll here.