After weeks of no movement for Penn State in the USA TODAY Sports power rankings, things changed after the events on Week 9. The Nittany Lions flipped spots with Ohio State and find themselves in the top 3 in Paul Myerberg’s updated 1-134 power rankings.
Penn State used a dominant second half to defeat Wisconsin and did it without starting quarterback Drew Allar. Ohio State, on the other hand, struggled to beat Nebraska, and the Cornhuskers controlled the game by slowing down the Buckeyes running game.
The Nittany Lions now rank only behind Oregon and Georgia. Indiana, at No. 13, joins Oregon, Penn State, and Ohio State as the fourth Big Ten program to be ranked in the top 15.
After losing to Kennesaw State, Liberty dropped 18 spots to No. 50, while Oklahoma State fell to No. 83 after losing to Baylor. Iowa was one of the biggest risers in the Big Ten, up nine spots to No. 34.
Penn State is ranked as the second-best Big Ten team heading into this weekend’s crucial matchup against Ohio State. A win would give the Nittany Lions an inside track to the Big Ten Championship game and the College Football playoff.