Penn State Football skyrockets up AP poll: Playoff within reach

This Penn State Football team has now climbed 13 spots from their preseason ranking, after just three games.

Following their Week 3 win over the Auburn Tigers, the Nittany Lions jumped to number six in the latest AP Poll. Penn State’s strength of schedule was certainly a factor, as every team in the top ten won their matchup yesterday.

Two of Penn State Football’s first three opponents are still ranked, with Wisconsin staying at 18 and Auburn dropping just one spot to number 23. Those two wins are undoubtedly huge resume boosters, and Penn State will still have plenty more opportunities to climb even further, as they are now within striking distance of the College Football Playoff.

Where the rankings currently stand, the Nittany Lions have four more matchups this season against ranked opponents. Those matchups are as follows; at #5 Iowa, at #10 Ohio State, vs #19 Michigan, and at #20 Michigan State. That means that almost half (4 of 9) of their remaining matchups are against teams currently ranked within the top 20.

One more team of note on Penn State’s schedule, the Maryland Terrapins received 29 votes to be ranked in the “others receiving votes” category, as they are off to a 3-0 start.

Obviously in a couple of months, the AP Poll will be irrelevant, but Penn State Football is in complete control of their own destiny, both within the Big Ten and nationally. If the Nittany Lions continue to play well-rounded, complimentary football, they have a good chance to find themselves in the top four come December.

Although right now, the only thing that matters is going 1-0 vs Villanova.