Penn State football moves into top 10 of CFP rankings ahead of Michigan game

Last week, Penn State football was outside the top 10 of the initial College Football Playoff rankings, sitting at No. 11. But the Nittany Lions boosted their stock last week, dominating Maryland on the road in College Park. That, combined with some late-season college football chaos, and Penn State seemed poised for a top 10 ranking ahead of its upcoming matchup with Michigan. But now we officially know that Saturday’s matchup between the Nittany Lions and Wolverines will be a top 10 showdown, as Penn State has jumped up in the latest College Football Playoff rankings.

Penn State football moves up in latest College Football Playoff rankings

On Tuesday evening, the College Football Playoff Selection Committee released its second rankings of the 2023 season. Penn State football has been inside the top 10 of both the AP and Coaches Polls all year, but found itself on the outside looking in of the initial CFP rankings last week at No. 11. But after an Oklahoma loss, the 8-1 Nittany Lions have moved up one spot, coming in at No. 10 in this week’s rankings.

The entire top 10 is as follows:

1. Ohio State
2. Georgia
3. Michigan
4. Florida State
5. Washington
6. Oregon
7. Texas
8. Alabama
9. Ole Miss
10. Penn State

The final CFP rankings will be released on Sunday, December 3, following conference championship weekend.

Top 10 matchup in Happy Valley

The release of the latest CFP rankings officially solidifies Saturday’s game between Penn State and Michigan as a top-10 matchup.

The Nittany Lions are coming off perhaps their most complete showing of the year, dominating the Maryland Terrapins 51-15. This will be the first major test for Michigan, who is outscoring its opponents 366-60 through nine games. The spread currently favors the Wolverines by 4.5 points, although ESPN’s predictive model gives Penn State a slight 51-49% edge.

“Obviously, [Michigan is] one of the most highly-ranked and regarded teams in the country,” James Franklin said in part during his weekly press conference Monday. “So, it’ll be a challenge. I know our guys are looking forward to it.”

Saturday’s clash kicks off at noon and will be aired on FOX.

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