Penn State moves back into the Top 5 in Week 7 Coaches Poll
Penn State head coach James Franklin and his staff may have had the week off on the field, but the Nittany Lions still managed to move up a spot in the Week 7 Coaches Poll, improving to No. 5 nationally.
With Oklahoma upsetting Texas in the annual Red River Rivalry game, the Longhorns dropped from No. 4 to No. 11 nationally. That allowed Penn State and a few other schools to move up at least one spot this week. The Nittany Lions were last ranked in the Top 5 of the Coaches Poll on October 3, 2021, following a 5-0 start. They dropped out a week later following a loss to Iowa.
While Texas may have dropped seven spots, Oklahoma was one of this week’s biggest risers, moving from No. 12 to No. 7 in the poll. However, Louisville made the biggest move this week following its win over Notre Dame, climbing 10 spots to No. 15 overall.
The Big Ten remains at just three teams in the poll, although Maryland and Iowa are both close to reaching the Top 25. Iowa earned 57 votes in this week’s poll, while Maryland is next with 37 votes. The Terps had a strong showing in the first half against the Buckeyes but ultimately allowed 27 unanswered points in the second half to lose 37-17.
While next week shouldn’t provide much drama in the Big Ten – Penn State hosts UMass (1-6), Michigan plays Indiana (2-3) and Ohio State plays Purdue (2-4) – the following week should be massive for the Nittany Lions with all eyes on what’s expected to be a Top 5 showdown in Columbus against Ohio State.
Penn State fans can check out the complete Week 7 Coaches Poll below.
Coaches Poll – Week 7
1) Georgia
2) Michigan
3) Ohio State
4) Florida State
5) Penn State
6) Washington
7) Oklahoma
8) Oregon
9) USC
10) Alabama
11) Texas
12) North Carolina
13) Ole Miss
Report Card: Grading out Penn State’s first five weeks of the 2023 season
14) Oregon State
15) Louisville
16) Utah
17) Tennessee
18) Duke
19) Washington State
20) LSU
21) Notre Dame
22) UCLA
23) Kentucky
24) Kansas
25) Missouri
Dropped Out: No. 17 Miami; No. 24 Fresno State
Others Receiving Votes: Miami 74; Wyoming 60; Air Force 58; Iowa 57; Maryland 37; Clemson 33; West Virginia 24; Wisconsin 23; Texas A&M 22; Tulane 18; James Madison 9; Brigham Young 9; Fresno State 4; Ohio 2; Memphis 2; Florida 2; Liberty 1
