As we get closer to the start of college football season, let’s take a look at the programs that have won the most games all time, and where Penn State ranks among that group.
Also, to show just how strong PSU’s schedule is — and always will be in the Big Ten — we take a look at where some of the conference teams rank in wins.
Here’s the top 10 winningest programs in history, including all divisions. Penn State’s record against certain opponents are in parenthesis):
1: Michigan – 964 (10-14)
2: Ohio State – 931 (14-21)
OK, let’s stop right there. Both of those teams are in Penn State’s division, the Big Ten East, which tells you just how big of a challenge the Nittany Lions face.
3: Alabama – 929 (5-10)
4: Texas – 923 (3-2)
5: Notre Dame – 918 (9-9-1)
6: Oklahoma – 917 (0-2)
7: Yale – 916 (0-7)
8: Nebraska – 905 (8-10)
9: Penn State – 902
10: Harvard – 879 (0-0)
Penn State has gone 49-75-1 all-time against the top 10 winningest teams. The Lions have a losing record against every team they’ve played except Texas.
How many of you knew Yale had more wins than both Penn State and Nebraska? And that Harvard also ranks in the top 10? Yale actually claims 27 national championships, while Harvard claims 12. Neither competes in FBS, though.
11: Penn – 861
12: Tennessee – 857
13: South Carolina – 852
14: Princeton – 840
15: Georgia – 839
16: LSU – 817
17: Mount Union – 809
18: Auburn – 782
19: Wittenberg – 780
20: Clemson – 768
That’s the top 20. Penn State will play three of those teams this season — (1) Michigan, (2) Ohio State and (18) Auburn.
Here’s where some other notable teams rank in the top 100, including PSU rivals and Big Ten teams. Again, with PSU’s record against each team in parenthesis.
21: West Virginia – 761 (48-9-2)
29: Pitt – 738 (53-43-4)
T-30: Syracuse – 725 (43-23-5)
T-33: Wisconsin – 719 (10-9)
T-37: Michigan State – 710 (17-17-1)
38: Minnesota – 709 (9-6)
56: Iowa – 665 (17-13)
62: Rutgers – 655 (29-2)
63: Maryland – 654 (40-3-1)
69: Miami – 644 (7-6)
87: Purdue – 620 (15-3-1)
T-96: Illinois – 614 (20-5-0)
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