Who is the real number 2? Penn State Trying to Change the Narrative Against Ohio State: Big Ten Power Poll

Getting third in the national rankings in all the major polls is one thing.

His other be the clear number 2 in the only ranking system that matters – PennLive Big Ten Power Poll.

James Franklin Penn State’s undefeated team is currently No. 2, but Nittany Lions to stay there, I must defeat my long-time nemesis this week.

If PSU can pull this off, the top spot could ultimately go to Franklin’s men.

Let’s start the ranking process.

BOTTOM FIVE

18.Purdue

17. Northwest

This week we finally get the answer to the question: What happens when the No. 132 total offense in the FBS (Northwestern) collides with the No. 123 total defense (Purdue) in West Lafayette?

16. Rutgers

Greg Schiano’s Scarlet Knights have a week off to fix some major defensive issues. Rutgers has scored a total of 119 points in its last three games in losses to Wisconsin (42-7), UCLA (35-32) and Southern California (42-20).

15. University of California

14. Maryland

Lose to Northwestern by 27, beat USC by 1, lose to Minnesota by 25. I get it. The Terps will visit Oregon on the road in two weeks.

MIDDLE NINE

13. Minnesota

12. Iowa

The total score for Saturday’s Iowa-Wisconsin game in Iowa City was 40.5 points. Come on. Someone wins this case 16-10.

11. Nebraska

Matt Rhule’s team showed courage in pushing Ohio State to the limit in Columbus before losing 21-17 last Saturday. It will take less grit to beat UCLA in Lincoln this week. Much less.

10th USC

9. Michigan State

Check out this episode of Michigan State’s games: Boston College, Ohio State, Oregon State, Iowa State and Michigan State. Brutal, right? The Spartans coped with the task this season. They will now host undefeated Indiana on Saturday.

8. Michigan

Speaking of Oregon, the Ducks will visit the Wolverines this week after a 38-9 victory over Illinois in Eugene last Saturday. Michigan scored seven points against the Fighting Illini on October 19.

7. Washington

6. Wisconsin

The Badgers are headed in the right direction, but it’s hard to win big games without a difference-making quarterback. Wisconsin, which had 13 points in a home loss to Penn State last Saturday, has scored a total of 33 points in its last three games against the Nittany Lions.

5.Illinois

MAGNIFICENT FOURTH

4. Indiana

Will starting quarterback Kurtis Rourke return for IU’s game against Michigan State on Saturday? Hoosiers coach Curt Cignetti is full of hope. Rourke, who injured his right thumb, threw for 1,941 yards and 15 touchdowns. Without him, IU ran 52 times for 188 yards and two touchdowns last week in a 31-17 victory over Washington in Bloomington.

3. Ohio State

The Buckeyes attack State College this week. By the way, it’s also a homecoming for Will Howard. The Ohio State quarterback clearly feels he has something to prove. The Buckeyes left guard, whoever he is in this offense, he also has something to prove.

2. Penn State

Will it be so? Drew Allar or Beau Pribula as the Lions’ quarterback against Ohio State? Will Edge Rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton play? How about? right tackle Anthony Donkoh? James Franklin syndrome deals with serious injury issues before the team’s most important match of the year. Undefeated Penn State also has road wins over West Virginia, USC and Wisconsin. Also: The Lions are 1-9 in their last 10 games against That Team To The West.

1. Oregon

It’s tempting to forget that Oregon didn’t look all that dangerous in its first two games, beating Idaho 24-14 and Boise State 37-34. One problem has been fixed: After accounting for seven sacks in the first two games, the Ducks have allowed just three in the last six games. Yes, we’re watching you closely, Dan Lanning.

PENNLIVE BIG TEN ENERGY SURVEY

1. Oregon (8-0, 5-0). Next: Saturday at Michigan.

2. Penn State (7-0, 4-0). Next up: Ohio State hosts on Saturday.

3. Ohio State (6-1, 3-1). Next: Saturday at Penn State.

4. Indiana (8-0, 5-0). Next: Saturday at Michigan State.

5. Illinois (6-2, 3-2). Next up: Minnesota hosts on Saturday.

6. Wisconsin (5-3, 3-2). Next: Saturday in Iowa.

7. Washington (4-4, 2-3): Next: Hosts USC on Saturday.

8. Michigan (5-3, 3-2). Next up: Oregon hosts on Saturday.

9. Michigan State (4-4, 2-3). Next: Indiana hosts on Saturday.

10. USC (4-4, 2-4). Next: Visits Washington on Saturday.

11. Nebraska (5-3, 2-3). Next: hosts UCLA on Saturday.

12. Iowa (5-3, 3-2). Next: Wisconsin hosts on Saturday.

13. Minnesota (5-3, 3-2). Next: Saturday in Illinois.

14. Maryland (4-4, 1-4): Next: Off this week.

15. UCLA (2-5, 1-4). Next: Visits Nebraska on Saturday.

16. Rutgers (4-3, 1-3). Next: off this week.

17. Northwest (3-5, 1-4). Next: at Purdue on Saturday.

18. Purdue (1-6, 0-4): Next: Hosts Northwestern on Saturday.