[mm-video type=playlist id=01ey902ehrs6e9bvhw player_id=none image=https://nittanylionswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]
Well here’s a little bit of a buzz kill following Penn State’s big win over Auburn in Week 3. With the Nittany Lions moving up in both the USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll and the AP Top 25, you would think Penn State is building all sorts of momentum as a top contender in the Big Ten East. But according to the latest updates from the ESPN FPI, the Nittany Lions have the third-best chance to win the division this season.
Penn State is ranked No. 10 in ESPN’s updated Football Power Index following Week 3. The Nittany Lions are still trending to a 9-win regular season despite still having two top 25 wins under their belts so far. Ohio State still is projected to win the Big Ten East with a 45.5% chance to win the division despite some early concerns this season. Penn State’s odds to win the division come in at 16.9%.
And Penn State isn’t even the second-best team in the division according to the FPI.
That’s right, the highest-ranked team in the Big Ten East in the major polls actually comes in third in the FPI rankings. The Michigan Wolverines have been surging on the ground and the FPI is being influenced by the early dominance of the Wolverines, even if against lesser competition overall. Michigan has an FPI ranking of No. 6 overall, four spots ahead of Penn State. Michigan’s chances of winning the Big Ten East are projected at 26.3.
[lawrence-related id=7260,7227,7206,7204,7199]
Of course, the FPI takes into account metrics that poll voters don’t necessarily pay too close attention to, and the FPI can be skewed by certain results, especially early on in the season. But the Wolverines have looked impressive with what they have done in the first three weeks of the season and could play a huge factor in a Big Ten East that looks much more competitive than it has been in years. Even Michigan State is trending in a very positive direction early on.
The Big Ten East is a division that could easily pick itself apart if the first three weeks are any indication, and the Buckeyes are looking as vulnerable as they’ve been in years. Of course, the division could still end up having to go through Columbus, but Penn State will do its best to carve their path to a Big Ten title shot.
[vertical-gallery id=7078]
Stream college football games from the SEC, Big 12, The American, and more on ESPN+
Follow Nittany Lions Wire on Twitter and like us on Facebook for continuing Penn State coverage and discussion.