How does Penn State’s conference perception change after Ohio State loss?

Penn State football saw its hopes of a perfect season dashed by Ohio State last weekend. Previously able to challenge Oregon as the Big Ten’s preeminent power this season, the Nittany Lions now fall back in the pecking order and no longer control their own fate to reach the conference title game.

How much did yet another loss to Ohio State hurt James Franklin and his program? Let’s take a look in this week’s updated Big Ten power rankings.

How much did the loss to Ohio State impact Penn State football in the conference power rankings?

The first weekend in November was a pretty sizable one in the Big Ten. The biggest contest happened in State College, but 16 conference teams in total were in action.

In this week’s power rankings, three tiers of teams seem to emerge. There is a top tier of four teams, a muddled middle tier with teams ranging with records from 3-5 to 6-3, and Purdue in a tier all by itself.

18. Purdue, 1-7 (Last week 18)

Purdue did not look as bad against Northwestern as against other opponents. The Boilermakers scored a game-tying touchdown late in the fourth quarter to force overtime. They then elected to go for a fourth-and-6 in overtime instead of a 38-yard field goal. The Boilermakers failed to convert, and Northwestern ended the game with a touchdown two players later.

Purdue still plays at Ohio State, Penn State, and at Indiana in the final four weeks of the season. The Boilermakers will not make a bowl game for the second straight year and are in danger of finishing with a worse record than a year ago. Ryan Walters’ seat is certainly getting warmer.

17. Rutgers, 4-4 (Last week 16)

The Scarlet Knights were on a bye week after four consecutive losses. They will attempt to end the losing streak by hosting Minnesota this coming Saturday.

16. Northwestern, 4-5 (Last week 17)

Northwestern beat Purdue 26-20 in overtime. The Wildcats move up one spot for beating a bad team but are also not very good. Still, bowl eligibility is on the table. They have a bye week before hosting Ohio State at Wrigley Field.

15. Maryland, 4-4 (Last week 14)

Maryland had an off week after losing three of its last four games. With Oregon, Iowa, and Penn State still left, the Terps must upset one of them to become bowl-eligible.

14. UCLA, 3-5 (Last week 15)

The Bruins built a 27-7 lead over Nebraska midway through the third quarter. However, they needed a late interception to hold off a Cornhuskers’ comeback and seal the 27-20 victory.

UCLA has improved over the last couple of weeks. On Friday night, the Bruins will host Iowa and attempt to string together a third straight victory.

13. Michigan State, 4-5 (Last week 13)

© Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Spartans went up 10-0 in the first quarter against Indiana. Too bad games are 60 minutes instead of 15, as they proceeded to give up the remaining 47 points in the game.

Michigan State has a bye week to figure out what went wrong and keep pushing for a bowl berth.

12. USC, 4-5 (Last week 12)

After taking a 21-20 lead over Washington in the third quarter this past Saturday, the Trojans’ final three drives ended with an interception and two failed fourth-down conversions. They lost 26-21.

Lincoln Riley’s program is heading in the wrong direction in his third season. Up next is a bye week to try to salvage what is left of a season falling well short of expectations.

11. Nebraska, 5-4 (Last week 11)

The Huskers fell to UCLA and now sit at 5-4 after being 5-1 after the first Saturday in October. We have all seen this script before with Nebraska. Just last year, the Huskers were 5-3 and lost their four remaining games, failing to make a bowl game for the seventh straight season.

Matt Rhule has an off week to figure out how to stop the sinking ship.

10. Wisconsin, 5-4 (Last week 8)

Wisconsin could not move the ball well against Iowa, and its defense gave up 329 yards on the ground in defeat. During their three-game winning streak, the Badgers appeared to have figured things out. Now, they have lost two in a row and seem to lack an identity once again.

Wisconsin needs just one more victory to secure a 23rd consecutive bowl trip. Perhaps the off-week will provide some answers.

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

© Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

An overmatched Michigan team fell to Oregon 38-17 on Saturday at home. Most pundits thought the Wolverines would take a step back this season, but they are taking two steps back at least.

Michigan will have a chance to get bowl-eligible against Northwestern, but its other two remaining games are on the road against Indiana and Ohio State. This may be a .500 team at best this season.

8. Washington, 5-4 (Last week 9)

Washington defeated USC for a third consecutive win in the former PAC 12 rivals series. The Huskies are one win away from bowl eligibility but have road trips to Penn State and Oregon left to go.

7. Illinois, 6-3 (Last week 7)

Illinois lost to Minnesota 25-17 in a back-and-forth battle at home. Quarterback Luke Altmyer fumbled twice, the first leading to a Gopher field goal. The second ended the game.

The Illini have lost two in a row and are out of the top 25 rankings. They have an off week to correct their wrongs.

6. Minnesota, 6-3 (Last week 10)

After a 2-3 start, the Gophers are rolling with four straight victories. Against Illinois, the Gophers played mistake-free football. The defense has only allowed six passing touchdowns this season.

Up next, the Gophers are at Rutgers.

5. Iowa, 6-3 (Last week 6)

The Hawkeyes eclipsed the 40-point mark for the second week in a row in their 42-10 victory over Wisconsin. With now four games of 40 points or more, new offensive coordinator Tim Lester is earning his paycheck thus far.

The Hawkeyes have winnable matchups in their remaining three games. A 9-3 record with a decent non-playoff bowl game is within the realm of possibility.

4. Penn State, 7-1 (Last week 2)

© Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Different season, same result versus Ohio State for the Nittany Lions. Penn State football fell to the Buckeyes 20-13 in a game with a couple of missed opportunities. Two drives inside the three-yard line came away with zero points. In a one-score game, that is inexcusable.

The defense held up pretty well and even scored a pick-six in the first quarter to go up 10-0. But the offense struggled to muster six points. Offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki did not call his best game, but players must also make plays when given the chance. All around, Penn State football failed on the big stage yet again.

The good news for the Nittany Lions is they are No. 6 in the first College Football Playoff rankings. Winning out would likely mean hosting a first-round playoff game, which would be huge. However, it still stings to lose to Ohio State yet again—eight losses in a row and 12 losses of the last 13 matchups.

Penn State football hosts the annual White Out game this Saturday night against Washington.

3. Indiana, 9-0 (Last week 4)

For the first time this season, the Hoosiers trailed in a game. Ultimately, it did not matter as they scored 47 unanswered points against Michigan State to secure the first 9-0 start in school history.

Many pundits will say this Hoosiers team has not played anyone yet. You do not get to be 9-0 on pure luck. This team is talented, and Curt Cignetti is currently pushing all the right buttons.

2. Ohio State, 7-1 (Last week 3)

There’s not much more to say about Ohio State’s victory. The Buckeyes took advantage of the Nittany Lions’ mistakes while creating a great game plan. They ran the ball fairly effectively, especially on the outside. The defense also took care of business.

The Buckeyes are now back in the driver’s seat for Indianapolis. They return home to face Purdue.

1. Oregon, 9-0 (Last week 1)

Oregon kept rolling with a 38-17 victory over Michigan. The Ducks have separated themselves from the rest of the conference and appear to be the runaway favorite for the best team in the country.

This team will be clear favorites in its final three games, so a trip to Indianapolis is nearly a lock. Any given Saturday, of course, but this Ducks team is cruising right now.

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