The second batch of college football rankings for this season are out, so where did Penn State land?
Well, Penn State is exactly where it was last week in the coaches poll.
Penn State started the week ranked No. 2, and pounded Florida International 34-0.
The only team ahead of it was Ohio State, who beat Grambling in a 70-0 barn burner. So it shouldn’t be a surprise that Ohio State’s No. 1 and Penn State is No. 2.
This could set up for a historic matchup in Columbus Nov. 1.
Penn State hasn’t been involved in a No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup since the 1987 Fiesta Bowl against Miami, and I think we all know how that turned out.
MIGHTY OREGON
Dan Lanning leads Oregon to the Big Ten title in their first year in the conference.
Penn State and Ohio State were the heavy favorites to be the top two teams in the Big Ten but Oregon is right on their heels at No. 5 in the coaches poll and No. 4 in the AP.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.A 69-3 win will do that, and that’s what Oregon accomplished this weekend against Oklahoma State.
That game surly caught Penn State coach James Franklin’s attention since they’ll be playing Oregon in three weeks. Penn State takes on Villanova this Saturday and then has its first of two byes. After that, the Big Ten season begins, and for many, the Sept. 27 matchup against Oregon is the start of the actual season since Penn State won’t be tested before that.
THE REST OF THE GUYS
CHAMPAIGN, IL – SEPTEMBER 07: Illinois Fighting Illini Head Coach Bret Bielema reacts during the college football game between the Kansas Jayhawks and the Illinois Fighting Illini on September 7, 2024, at Memorial Stadium, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire)
Aside from the Big Three, Illinois is the best of the rest in the Big Ten. Bret Bielema’s squad came into this week ranked No. 11 and left the week 2-0, pounding former Penn State defensive coordinator Manny Diaz and Duke.
Now, Illinois is ranked No. 9.
Regardless of rankings, Penn State won’t have to worry about Illinois in the regular season but this is a team that could sneak its way into the Big Ten Championship and should be College Football Playoff bound.
No. 2 Penn State takes on Villanova at Beaver Stadium Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 on FS1.
