Reevaluating Penn State’s spot in the Big Ten before the last quarter of the 2024 season

Penn State football picked itself up off the ground last Saturday following its first loss of the season, moving to 5-1 in conference play and 8-1 overall. And now just like that, we’re already at the final quarter of the year, with only three games remaining in the regular season.

The Nittany Lions look well-positioned for another double-digit win season. But as far as the Big Ten goes, the Blue and White are likely on the outside looking in yet again. Let’s look at where things stand heading into the final leg of 2024 with our Week 12 Big Ten power rankings.

Did Penn State football’s dominant White Out win impact the conference power rankings?

As we approach the end of the regular season, only four teams are alive for the two spots in Indianapolis. A giant red line exists between these teams and the rest of the conference. However, all but Purdue are either bowl-eligible or still alive for bowl eligibility.

Six of the conference’s 18 teams were off last week, but there was still a lot of movement in our conference power rankings.

18. Purdue, 1-8 (Last week 18)

The Boilermakers showed little resistance in their shutout loss to Ohio State. They are just waiting for the season to end at this point. Up next is a visit from James Franklin and No. 4 Penn State football.

17. Maryland, 4-5 (Last week 15)

Maryland was defeated by Oregon 39-18. The Terps hung around for a while, but two fourth-quarter interceptions doomed any chance of an upset.

Maryland will need to win two of its final three contests to secure a bowl. Rutgers comes to town next.

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

The Wildcats were on bye to prepare for their game against Ohio State at Wrigley Field. Not sure if the extra week of preparation will make much difference.

15. Rutgers, 5-4 (Last week 17)

© Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Rutgers came up with a big victory over Minnesota, 26-19. Former Gopher quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis tossed three touchdown passes against his old team.

The Scarlet Knights broke their four-game losing streak. Now, they just need one more victory in their final three games to secure their second consecutive bowl bid. The first shot at win No. 6 comes in College Park on Saturday night.

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

Michigan State had the week off as the Spartans prepared for a trip to Champaign to face the Fighting Illini.

13. UCLA, 4-5 (Last week 14)

The Bruins defeated visiting Iowa last Friday night. Now with three wins in a row, UCLA is still alive for a bowl bid after starting the year 1-5.

UCLA now gets to face familiar foes in back-to-back weeks. First, the Bruins travel to Washington followed by a home date with crosstown rival USC.

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

USC was on a bye and faces off against Nebraska Saturday.

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

Same as above. Huskers were on a bye and travel to Los Angeles next.

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

The Wolverines pushed the Hoosiers but still came up short, losing 20-15. The Maize and Blue just don’t produce enough on offense, totaling only 206 yards against the Indiana defense.

Michigan can still become bowl-eligible, but what a drop-off from winning the national title a year ago. The Wolverines are off this week.

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

Another team on bye week. The Badgers travel to Oregon on Saturday night.

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

© Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images

Washington moved the ball well on its first possession only to have a 45-yard field goal hit the goal post. It was pretty much all downhill the rest of the way, as the Huskies fell to Penn State football in a relatively uncompetitive 35-6 loss.

All four of the Huskies’ matchups in different time zones have been losses. Probably good that they get to stay on the West Coast for their last two games.

7. Minnesota, 6-4 (Last week 6)

Just when it looked like Minnesota was building some momentum, it came crashing back down. The loss to Rutgers is a little bit of a setback for the Gophers. Minnesota now has a bye week before its home game against Penn State football.

6. Iowa, 6-4 (Last week 5)

Like Minnesota, the Hawkeyes seemed to have some momentum, but it ground to a halt in Los Angeles. Those West Coast trips have been brutal for many Big Ten teams this year.

Iowa has the week off now before a trip to Maryland.

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

Illinois had the off week and will host Michigan State next.

4. Penn State, 8-1 (Last week 4)

© Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images

Penn State football responded to its loss to Ohio State in a big way, defeating Washington by 29 points in front of a White Out crowd. The Nittany Lions scored touchdowns on each of their four possessions of the first half. They may have let their foot off the pedal some in the second half, but it did not matter.

This was nearly a complete game, a good sight for Penn State fans after a bitter loss to the Buckeyes. The Nittany Lions got the run game going, gaining 266 yards on the ground, and once again, Drew Allar was efficient through the air. Penn State’s defense held Washington under 200 yards and kept the Huskies out of the end zone.

Penn State just needs to keep winning to secure home-field advantage in the 12-team College Football Playoff. Next is a road trip to West Lafayette.

3. Indiana, 10-0 (Last week 3)

The Hoosiers are 10-0 for the first time in program history after their victory over Michigan. Up to this point, Indiana had games well in hand in the fourth quarter. But against the Wolverines, the Hoosiers had to hold them off in the final frame.

Now, Indiana has a bye week before its monster matchup against Ohio State. No matter the outcome of that game, there is no doubt Curt Cignetti is Big Ten Coach of the Year.

2. Ohio State, 8-1 (Last week 2)

The Buckeyes showed no hangover following their big win over the Nittany Lions. They were firing on all cylinders against Purdue and probably could have scored more than 45 points if they wanted.

A matchup against Indiana is in two weeks, but the Buckeyes cannot look past Northwestern.

1. Oregon, 10-0 (Last week 1)

The Ducks took care of business against Maryland to get to 10-0. Dillion Gabriel broke the NCAA record for total career touchdowns, passing Houston’s Case Keenum.

Oregon pretty much has a spot locked up in the Big Ten Championship, barring complete disaster. The Ducks are at Wisconsin on Saturday night.

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