AP Ranking: Penn State is in Good Shape

Originally posted on Nittany Sports Now | By Joe Smeltzer | Last updated Nov 24, 2024 4:14 PM ET

The latest AP Poll ranking is in, and as expected, Penn State is in good shape.

The US LBM Coaches Poll came out more than an hour earlier, and Penn State stayed at No. 4.

So one could have guessed in Penn State would remain the same in the AP Poll, as well, and that’s exactly what happened.

Penn State is still at No. 4 behind top-ranked Oregon, which had a late bye week, No. 2 Ohio State, which trounced Indiana and No. 3 Texas, which did the same to Kentucky.

If Ohio State beats Michigan next week, it will clinch a spot in the Big Ten title game, where it would play Oregon. Penn State would thus be knocked out of the Big Ten title race, which sounds like a bad thing, but…

PENN STATE MIGHT WANT TO AVOID INDY

WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – NOVEMBER 16: Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin on the sidelines during the college football game between the Purdue Boilermakers and Penn State Nittany Lions on November 16, 2024, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire)

As crazy as it might sound, it’s conceivable to suggest that the best thing for Penn State to not play in the Big Ten title game Dec. 6. If Penn State loses to Oregon, it would be in a similar Playoff spot than it would be if it beat Maryland and didn’t play in Indy. It would also help Penn State, which is dealing with injuries, including a potentially serious one to starting RT Anthony Donkoh, could also use the extra time off.

EITHER WAY, PENN STATE IS SITTING PRETTY

WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – NOVEMBER 16: Penn State Nittany Lions Head Coach James Franklin high fives players as they jog off the field after scoring during the college football game between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Purdue Boilermakers on November 16, 2024, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire)

Penn State is one win away from finishing with its best regular-season record in 16 years. Remember when PSU lost to Ohio State and everybody thought the sky was falling? It isn’t so, and Penn State football’s AP ranking reflects that.

Penn State’s regular-season finale is scheduled for Saturday against Maryland at 3:30 on the Big Ten Network.

This article first appeared on Nittany Sports Now and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: