How did Penn State’s win over USC impact the power rankings?

Unlike the previous week, Week 7 in college football did not have nearly as many upsets. However, it was a monster weekend with great finishes that lived up to the hype. In the Big Ten, there was no lack of drama. Four contests came down to one score, and Penn State football had the game’s final play used to decide the outcome. As a result, there has been some shuffling around of this week’s power rankings from top to almost bottom (Apologies to Purdue and UCLA). There is a new team topping the Big Ten power rankings this week. Where did the Nittany Lions end up?

18. Purdue, 1-5 (Last week 18)

The Boilermakers showed some grit when they were down 27-3 early third quarter to come back to even take the lead late. Illinois would then force overtime with a game-tying field goal. In the extra period, the teams exchanged touchdowns but the Boilermakers chose to go for two points and failed.

Grit aside, the Boilermakers still find themselves at the bottom of the rankings. They return home to host Oregon this coming Friday.

17. UCLA, 1-5 (Last week 17)

The Bruins put up a good fight against Minnesota but came up short 21-17. Returning from injury, quarterback Ethan Garbers threw for almost 300 yards but also tossed three interceptions.

UCLA has lost five straight games. They now have to travel across the country to Rutgers.

16. Maryland, 3-3 (Last week 13)

Someone in Maryland’s athletic department needs to put an end to their “Black Out” games. The Terps laid an egg Friday night against Northwestern. They turned over the ball four times, with Northwestern converting those gifts into 17 points.

It seems to be an annual tradition for Maryland to look good against non-conference foes but falter in conference games. They face a new conference foe USC this coming Saturday.

15. Michigan State, 3-3 (Last week 15)

The Spartans had the week off to regroup after three straight losses. They host Iowa this Saturday night.

14. Northwestern, 3-3 (Last week 16)

Northwestern notched its first conference victory of the season, defeating Maryland 37-10 on the road. The Wildcats only totaled 283 yards and 10 first downs but took full advantage of four Maryland turnovers.

Northwestern returns home to face Wisconsin next.

13. Minnesota, 4-3 (Last week 14)

Minnesota found a way to win after being down at UCLA 10-0 at halftime. The Gophers are starting to figure out some things and the defense is tied for first in the nation with 13 interceptions.

After a bye week, the Gophers will host struggling Maryland.

12. Rutgers, 4-2 (Last week 7)

Rutgers has dropped two in a row now after starting the season 4-0. The Scarlet Knight offense has particularly gotten worse as the competition has picked up.

They will be back in action this week against UCLA.

11. Wisconsin, 4-2 (Last week 12)

The Badgers defeated Rutgers 42-7. Their offense has picked up in the last couple of weeks, scoring a total of 94 points and totaling over 1100 yards. Is this just a product of their opponents playing bad defense or have the Badgers found something? Maybe a little mix of both.

Wisconsin travels to take on Northwestern this coming Saturday. Before hosting Penn State football next weekend.

10. Washington, 4-3 (Last week 6)

A week after beating Michigan, the Huskies laid an egg on the road at Kinnick. They could not stop running back Kaleb Johnson who ran all over them for 166 yards and two touchdowns.

Washington has a bye week now but it gets no easier with a road trip to Indiana on the horizon.

9. USC, 3-3 (Last week 8)

USC fell to Penn State football  33-30 in overtime this week. The Trojans gave it their best shot as they were looking to avoid a third loss in four games, essentially eliminating them from playoff contention. Kudos to them for finding a way to slow down the Penn State rushing attack along with attacking the Penn State offense with quick throws and a healthy dose of Woody Marks.

In the end, it was not enough and Lincoln Riley’s team took their third loss of the season. You are what your record is but also this team seems better than what their record indicates. USC travels across the country to take on Maryland this coming Saturday.

8. Iowa, 4-2 (Last week 11)

It is one thing for Iowa to score 40 on an FCS team. To put up 40 on a Big Ten defense, with all of the points generated by offensive scores is impressive. Besides two punts and the last drive that was running out the clock, Iowa scored points on all their other possessions. On eight of 11 possessions, the Hawkeyes scored points.

Iowa goes on the road at Michigan State this coming Saturday night.

7. Illinois, 5-1 (Last week 10)

Illinois blew a 24-point lead against Purdue, forced OT, and then won it in the extra frame. The Illini defense gave up way too much in this one, 536 total yards, but the offense was able to bail them out.

Illinois is in the middle of the conference chase but has a couple of tough games coming up, the first of which is Michigan.

6. Nebraska, 5-1 (Last week 9)

Nebraska had an extra week to prepare for their battle at Indiana this coming Saturday.

5. Michigan, 4-2 (Last week 5)

Michigan had a bye week after their loss at Washington a week ago. The Wolverines have a challenge at Champagne this coming Saturday.

4. Indiana, 6-0 (Last week 4)

The Hoosiers find themselves tied at the top of the Big Ten standings and fourth in the power rankings. Like Nebraska, the Hoosiers also had the week off to prepare for the team’s game this week.

3. Ohio State, 5-1 (Last week 1)

The Buckeyes lost their first game of the season, dropping a thriller at Oregon 32-31. This Ohio State team is still really, really good, and in a back-and-forth affair, they just came up a point short. Someone needs to teach quarterback Will Howard a little more awareness because it was lacking on the Buckeye’s final drive. As a result, the Buckeyes slipped in the Big Ten power rankings.

Ohio State has a week off to correct mistakes before hosting Nebraska.

2. Penn State, 6-0 (Last week 2)

Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

What a victory for Penn State football. Down two scores at halftime, this group of Nittany Lions faced a gut check and answered the call. Scoring touchdowns on their first two possessions of the second half evened up the contest and it was a game the rest of the way.

With the rushing attack mostly held in check for the first time this season, the game was on Drew Allar’s shoulders, and boy did he deliver. On the touchdown drive that tied the game at 30, Allar made not one but two fourth-down conversion throws to Julian Fleming. Clutch.

Speaking of the clutch, how about kicker Ryan Barker? Ice in his veins. Also absolutely cannot say enough about the game that Tyler Warren had. What a beast he is.

We cannot forget about the defense. Sure they gave up the most points and yards thus far this season. But when Allar threw two interceptions, the defense clamped down and held the Trojans to two field goals. They came up with the stops when they needed them the most.

Overall great win over a talented USC team. Penn State is not moving up this week in the Big Ten power rankings simply because Oregon took out number one. But the Nittany Lions will have their chance to move up. This team’s goals are theirs for the taking and the bye week could not have come at a better time.

1. Oregon, 6-0 (Last week 3)

Oregon edged Ohio State Saturday night at home just jump to the top spot in the power rankings. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel shined in the victory, tossing two touchdowns with 341 yards. Running back Jordan James hit the century mark on the ground and also added a touchdown.

Since struggling against Idaho and Boise State to begin the season, the Ducks have found their stride. After a tough win, they will need to regroup on a short week to travel to Purdue.

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