LOS ANGELES — It took an overtime push, but Penn State is once again moving up in the rankings after a 33-30 win at USC. The Nittany Lions are No. 3 in the new AP Top 25 released on Sunday, marking the second consecutive week the team is in the top five.
The ranking is Penn State’s highest in the AP poll since October 2017, when the Nittany Lions were No. 2 for two weeks.
How’d they move up despite narrowly defeating an unranked opponent? By jumping Ohio State, which fell to Oregon on Saturday. The Ducks are up one spot to No. 2 behind No.1 Texas and the Buckeyes fell two spots to No. 4. Georgia remained No. 5
With Ohio State’s loss, Penn State is now one of just three undefeated Big Ten teams. Even if the Nittany Lions fall to the Buckeyes on Nov. 2, there remains the realistic possibility that Penn State could qualify for the conference championship if it wins its five other remaining games.
The Nittany Lions, Oregon and Ohio State are three of six other Big Ten teams ranked this week. Undefeated Indiana moved up two spots to No. 16, Illinois moved up one spot to No. 22 and Michigan remained at No. 24.
Penn State will take an idle week before returning to action on Oct. 26 at Wisconsin. The Nittany Lions’ next home game will come against the Buckeyes, which will likely be the team’s most challenging opponent of the year.
The first College Football Playoff rankings are set to be released on Tuesday, Nov. 5, three days after Penn State’s matchup with Ohio State. If all goes well against the Badgers, the Nittany Lions should be listed in the desired top 12, whether they win or lose against the Buckeyes.
