The latest AP Top 25 rankings are in, and Penn State’s climb came to a crashing halt.
The Nittany Lions fell completely out of the AP Top 25 following Saturday’s 24-20 loss to Wisconsin at Beaver Stadium.
Penn State, which entered the weekend ranked No. 13 in the country, received just 98 votes in the latest poll, leaving the Nittany Lions outside the rankings and effectively No. 28 based on voting points.
It’s a stunning reversal after Penn State spent the first month of the season moving in the right direction.
The Nittany Lions entered Big Ten play 3-0 and had climbed from No. 14 to No. 13 after a 55-13 win over Buffalo. That momentum disappeared in Penn State’s conference opener.
Wisconsin rallied from a 20-10 fourth-quarter deficit, scoring twice in the final four minutes to stun Penn State. The decisive blow came when Badgers quarterback Colton Joseph connected with Jacob Harris for a 72-yard touchdown with 1:13 remaining.
Penn State had one final opportunity, but quarterback Rocco Becht’s pass on the final play sailed out of the back of the end zone.
The loss was Matt Campbell’s first as Penn State’s head coach and dropped the Nittany Lions to 3-1 overall and 0-1 in Big Ten play.
Penn State struggled offensively throughout the loss, finishing with just 248 total yards. Becht completed 12 of 29 passes for 129 yards, while the Nittany Lions failed to generate enough offense to capitalize on a defense that intercepted Joseph twice, including Josiah Zayas’ 51-yard pick-six.
The AP voters responded accordingly.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Penn State went from 850 points and the No. 13 ranking last week to only 98 votes and a spot outside the Top 25.
Wisconsin, meanwhile, received 102 votes following the victory, putting the Badgers directly ahead of Penn State among teams outside the rankings.
The Nittany Lions aren’t alone in falling after a chaotic weekend. Michigan also dropped out of the rankings, while USC fell from No. 12 to No. 18.
Penn State won’t have much time to dwell on its fall.
The Nittany Lions travel to Northwestern for a Friday night Big Ten matchup Oct. 2.
A year after Northwestern’s upset at Beaver Stadium ended James Franklin’s tenure at Penn State, the Wildcats now have an opportunity to add another chapter to Penn State’s recent struggles.
For Campbell and the Nittany Lions, Friday night suddenly carries significantly more weight.
Penn State entered conference play ranked No. 13 and thinking about positioning itself for the College Football Playoff.
One week later, it isn’t ranked at all.
