Big Ten football power rankings after spring portal closes

Big Ten football power rankings after spring portal closes: Did Nittany Lions get better?

Ohio State and Oregon loaded up with transfer portal additions this offseason and have separated themselves in the new Big Ten as the top two contenders. So, where do James Franklin and the Penn State Nittany Lions stand?

Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar / Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

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488. . . Head Coach: Matt Rhule. . Nebraska. 8. Last Year: 5-7. .

Key losses: Chubba Purdy, Jeff Sims Key additions: Dylan Raiola, Jahmal Banks

Nebraska was actually in a lot of games last season, despite going 5-7. The Cornhuskers only had a -3 point differential and lost five games by one score, including four straight to end the season. Well now, Matt Rhule has himself a quarterback, so those one-score games may go the other way.

Last season, Heinrich Haarberg, Chubba Purdy, and Jeff Sims combined to throw 16 interceptions to 10 touchdowns. The quarterback play in Lincoln was abysmal, so it was paramount that Rhule got five-star Dylan Raiola to flip his commitment from Georgia to come play for his father’s alma mater.

Raiola looked good in Nebraska’s spring game and will be the starter from Day 1. Sure, there will be growing pains, but he’s a huge upgrade, even as an inexperienced freshman.

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