Where do the Penn State Nittany Lions stand on Selection Sunday in the national rankings? While the only ranking that ultimately matters today will be the one updated by the College Football Playoff selection committee on Sunday afternoon, along with the seeding for the playoff bracket, Penn State did learn how the media voters evaluated Penn State’s 11-2 campaign following a loss to Oregon in Saturday night’s Big Ten championship game.
Penn State fell two spots in the final AP Top 25 poll before the playoff bracket is unveiled, dropping from no. 3 down to no. 5. Penn State managed to stay one spot ahead of Ohio State, who beat Penn State in a head-to-head matchup earlier this season in Beaver Stadium. But Penn State did fall behind idle Notre Dame, who capitalized on losses in conference championship games by both Penn State and Texas. Texas also fell two spots from no. 2 down to no. 4 while SEC champion moved up to no. 2 following its SEC championship game victory over the Longhorns.
Oregon ended the season ranked no. 1 with all 62 first-place votes in their favor after polishing off a 13-0 record with the Big Ten championship game victory over Penn State. Oregon will be the top seed in the upcoming College Football Playoff.
In addition to Penn State, Oregon, and Ohio State, the Big Ten is also represented by no. 9 Indiana and no. 21 Illinois in the AP top 25 this week. No other Big Ten team received any votes from the AP voters this week.
The College Football Playoff rankings and bracket will be unveiled Sunday afternoon. Penn State appears to be locked in for a first-round home game.
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