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Penn State moves back into the Top 10 in the Associated Press Poll

Mug-Shot 4x4by:Ryan Snyder•11/26/23•

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Wide receiver Omari Evans. (Photo Credit: Steve Manuel | Blue White Illustrated)

Penn State finished up its regular season with one of its most dominant wins of the year, defeating Michigan State 42-0. With assistant coaches Ja’Juan Seider and Ty Howle filling in as offensive coordinators, the Nittany Lions had their best performance of the season statistically, totaling 303 yards passing and 283 yards rushing. The defense was also excellent, limiting Michigan State to just 53 yards.

With Louisville losing Saturday to Kentucky, that allowed the Nittany Lions to move up one spot this week, putting Penn State back inside the Top 10 with only conference championship games remaining.

Elsewhere in the Big Ten, Ohio State dropped down to No. 6 following its loss to Michigan in Ann Arbor. The Buckeyes had an opportunity to pull out the win in the final minute of the game, but quarterback Kyle McCord was intercepted by defensive back Rod Moore with 25 seconds remaining in Michigan territory, giving the Wolverines its third-straight win in the series. The Wolverines climbed to No. 2 in the AP Poll and will now face Iowa in the Big Ten Championship next Saturday in Indianapolis.

Takeaways: Three thoughts on Penn State’s 10-2 regular season

The Hawkeyes, who improved to 10-2, also moved up a two spots to No. 18. The Hawkeyes pulled out an improbable win when Nebraska quarterback Chubba Purdy was intercepted with just 15 seconds left in the game. Iowa running back Leshon Williams then picked up 22 yards on the next play to set the Hawkeyes up for the game-winning field goal.

Penn State will learn its bowl destination next Sunday, Dec. 3. Head coach James Franklin and his team are expected to make their second-straight New Year’s Six Bowl following last year’s win in the Rose Bowl. With both the Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl hosting semifinal games this season, the Orange Bowl is the only game with conference tie-ins, leaving a few possibilities for the Lions. Most project them to end up at the Peach Bowl in Atlanta. Penn State has never played in the Peach Bowl. Both Tulane and Missouri are projected opponents.

Penn State fans can check out the updated Associated Press Poll below.

Associated Press Poll – Week 14

1) Georgia
2) Michigan
3) Washington
4) Florida State
5) Oregon
6) Ohio State
7) Texas
8) Alabama
9) Missouri
10) Penn State
11) Ole Miss
12) Oklahoma
13) LSU

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14) Arizona
15) Louisville
16) Notre Dame
17) Tulane
18) Iowa
19) Oklahoma State
20) Liberty
T-21) N.C. State
T-21) Oregon State
23) Toledo
24) James Madison
25) SMU

Others Receiving Votes: Tennessee 98, Clemson 57, Kansas St. 41, Utah 40, Troy 7, Kansas 6, New Mexico St. 5, Kentucky 4, Memphis 1, North Carolina 1, Miami (Ohio) 1

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