The biggest thing that would help Penn State Saturday is beating Illinois.
But there are other games that could benefit PSU if they go a certain way.
Eight teams are ahead of PSU in the rankings.
No. 7 Miami won a wild and controversial one against Virginia Tech Friday night. No. 6 Tennessee is off this week and the showdown between No. 2 Georgia and No. 4 Alabama in Tuscaloosa would benefit Penn State either way since both teams are ahead.
So the leaves four teams that could help Penn State by pulling upsets. Here are those four.
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MISSISSIPPI STATE CAN HELP PENN STATE
It’s been a tough year in Starksville so far and it doesn’t figure to get easier against No. 1 Texas. Mississippi State is 1-3 with losses to Arizona State, Toledo and Florida, so, yeah, this one could get ugly. Texas is favored by 37.5.
MICHIGAN STATE CAN HELP PENN STATE
Another MSU is scheduled to take on a team that appears to be much better than it. Michigan State is off to a 3-1 start but is up against it against No. 3 Ohio State at home. That game is set to kickoff at 7:30, the same time as Penn State-Illinois. Ohio State is a 23.5-point favorite.
SO CAN KENTUCKY
Kentucky can help Penn State in the present and also get a form of revenge for the Peach Bowl by beating No. 6 Ole Miss in Oxford. Kentucky already has experience with top 10 teams this season, falling by one point to then-No. 1 Georgia in Lexington two weeks ago. Kentucky won’t have that home field advantage today, and that’s part of the reason it’s a hefty underdog. Ole Miss is favored by 17.5.
AND UCLA
PSU fans won’t be rooting for UCLA next week because, well, that’s Penn State’s opponent. But for this week, it would help PSU both in the national rankings and in the Big Ten standings if UCLA can somehow take down Mighty Oregon in Eugene. It’s not looking too likely, tho. Oregon is a 25.5-point favorite.
