Penn State Football: Nittany Lions Rise to No. 6 in Latest AP Poll

Penn State football rose one spot to No. 6 in the latest AP Top 25 released on Sunday afternoon following the Nittany Lions’ 31-0 defeat of then No. 24 Iowa. The Nittany Lions opened the season at the No. 7 spot and spent the first four weeks stationary in the polls which have seen some – but not much – upheaval in the upper reaches.

As per usual, Georgia heads the poll at No. 1, while Michigan, Texas, Ohio State and Florida State round out the top five. It was a dramatic night for Ohio State, which beat Notre Dame on what was effectively the final play of regulation. Meanwhile, Florida State snuck past Clemson with an overtime victory while USC dropped three spots from No. 5 to No. 8 following a commanding victory but otherwise unimpressive performance against lowly Arizona State.

For its part, Notre Dame only dropped two places to No. 11 following the last-second loss to Ohio State. Alabama began an upward trajectory again after beating Ole Miss, moving up one spot to No. 12.

No other Big Ten team is ranked in the Top 25 beyond the conference’s big three. As far as future Big Ten programs in 2024, the conference lays claim to six spots in the top 10 with Washington slotting in at No. 7 just ahead of USC, and Oregon moving up a spot to No. 9 after a rout of Colorado.

Penn State will head next to Northwestern, which won in overtime against Minnesota before returning home to take on UMass. An off week will come just prior to the anticipated clash against Ohio State in Columbus on Oct. 21. The Buckeyes are currently heading into their off week and will face Maryland and make a trip to Purdue before hosting the Nittany Lions. That game does not yet have a kick time.

AP Top 25

1. Georgia (55)
2. Michigan (1)
3. Texas (2)
4. Ohio State (1)
5. Florida State (3)
6. Penn State
7. Washington (1)
8. USC
9. Oregon
10. Utah
11. Notre Dame
12. Alabama 
13. LSU
14. Oklahoma
15. North Carolina
16. Washington State
17. Duke
18. Miami
19. Oregon State
20. Ole Miss
21. Tennessee 
22. Florida
23. Missouri 
24. Kansas 
25. Fresno State 

Others receiving votes: Kansas St. 57, Kentucky 41, Colorado 32, Louisville 32, UCLA 28, Maryland 20, TCU 17, Tulane 11, Syracuse 8, Wisconsin 6, Air Force 6, Clemson 5, Texas A&M 5.