BREAKING: Penn State holds firm in AP Poll, sets up top 4 matchup next week

The stage is now set for a clash between two of the top teams in college football inside Beaver Stadium next weekend. Penn State football will keep its place in the AP Poll after taking down Wisconsin 28-13 in Madison. Ranked No. 3, the Nittany Lions will welcome the No. 4 Ohio State Buckeyes to Happy Valley next Saturday.

The game will be the first top-five matchup in Beaver Stadium since Joe Paterno and No. 3 Penn State defeated No. 4 Arizona 41-7 to open the 1999 season. The last time State College played host to a top-five Big Ten showdown was two years earlier when No. 4 Michigan beat the second-ranked Nittany Lions 34-8.

Penn State and Ohio State also came in at No. 3 and No. 4 in the latest Coaches Poll released earlier Sunday afternoon.

The entire AP top 25 is as follows:

1. Oregon
2. Georgia
3. Penn State
4. Ohio State
5. Miami
6. Texas
7. Tennessee
8. Notre Dame
9. BYU
10. Texas A&M
11. Clemson (tie)
12. Iowa State (tie)
13. Indiana
14. Alabama
15. Boise State
16. LSU
17. Kansas State
18. Pitt
19. Ole Miss
20. SMU
21. Army
22. Washington State
23. Colorado
24. Illinois
25. Missouri

Penn State quarterback situation in doubt heading into massive showdown

Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

The looming question around the Nittany Lions program this week will be the status of starting quarterback Drew Allar, who did not play in the second half against the Badgers due to injury.

“It really came down to Drew once he came out,” James Franklin said after the game. “…I asked him to be very, very honest with me. And he just didn’t feel like he was going to be able to move well enough to go. And even like at the end of the half there you saw even throwing was challenging.”

In his absence, backup quarterback Beau Pribula went 11-13 for 98 yards and one touchdown, adding another 28 yards on the ground.

“Beau is a character, character, kid; character family,” Franklin said. “Comes from a great high school program. He’s universally respected in our locker room, from his teammates and coaches. Not surprised one bit that he was able to manufacture yards and points for us when we needed them most.”

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