To paraphrase the great Bob Seger, Penn State is not “still the same” in the latest AP Poll.
Penn State started the season ranked No. 7 and hadn’t moved through a 3-0 start. But after a 31-0 31-0 demolition of No. 24 Iowa Saturday night, Penn State’s moved up to No. 6.
Iowa’s no longer ranked.
Penn State’s behind two Big Ten East foes in Michigan (No. 2) and Ohio State (No. 4). Michigan pounded Rutgers Saturday and Ohio State had to work harder for its win at No. 6 Notre Dame, winning 17-14, with the last play being a 1-yard touchdown run by Chip Trayanum. Penn State plays at Ohio State Oct. 21 and hosts Michigan three weeks later. Before the Ohio State game, Penn State has to play at Northwestern, and then has a bye week before hosting UMass Oct. 14, which many will view as another bye week.
Ohio State and Michigan are the only two teams to have beat Penn State since the end of the 2021 season. Michigan dominated Penn State, 41-17, in Ann Arbor Oct. 15, 2022. Penn State was much more competitive against Ohio State at Beaver Stadium, but still lost, 44-31.
Along with Ohio State and Michigan, ahead of Penn State are Georgia (No. 1), Texas (No. 3) and Florida State (No. 5).
