Where does Penn State rank in updated Coaches Poll?
Penn State wrapped up its regular season Friday night in impressive fashion, beating up Michigan State at Detroit’s Ford Field, 42-0. Not only did Manny Diaz’s defense record a shutout, but the Lions held the Spartans to just 53 total yards in the entire game. It was also Penn State’s best performance offensively, as the Lions totaled 586 yards on the night.
With Louisville also losing Saturday against rival Kentucky, that allowed the Nittany Lions to move up one spot this week, putting PSU back inside the Top 10 with only conference championship games remaining.
Elsewhere in the Big Ten, Ohio State dropped down to No. 6 following Saturday’s loss to Michigan. It looked as if the Buckeyes might pull out a dramatic win late, driving the ball 44 yards with under a minute to play. However, quarterback Kyle McCord threw his second interception in the game, giving the Wolverines its third-straight win in the series. Michigan has since replaced the Buckeyes at No. 2 nationally.
Iowa is also firmly in the Top 25 at No. 17. 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. Iowa will face Michigan in the Big Ten Championship next Saturday. The Wolverines are currently 23.5-point favorites.
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. Both Tulane and Missouri are projected opponents.
Top 10
- 1Breaking
Biff Poggi
Charlotte firing head coach
- 2Hot
Skipping SEC title game
Coaches prefer sitting out
- 3
Predicting new CFP Top 12
BCS formula predicts 12-team bracket
- 4New
Kiffin calls out Saban
'He's now the rat poisoner'
- 5
Dabo rips refs
Swinney headed to 'Targeting Anonymous'
Penn State fans can check out the updated Coaches Poll below.
Coaches 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
Film Room: Penn State offense uses subtle tweaks to unlock Drew Allar
14) Louisville
15) Arizona
16) Notre Dame
17) Iowa
18) Tulane
19) Oklahoma State
20) N.C. State
21) Oregon State
22) Liberty
23) Tennessee
24) SMU
25) James Madison
Schools that dropped out: No. 20 Kansas State
Others receiving votes: Toledo 68; Clemson 64; Utah 54; Kansas State 54; Troy 25; Kansas 15; West Virginia 10; UNLV 4; San Jose State 1; New Mexico State 1
