Badger of Honor
Fansided

Wisconsin Football drops in latest Big Ten power rankings

By Tanner Nestle

MADISON, WI - SEPTEMBER 15: Squally Canada #22 of the BYU Cougars dives into the end zone for a two-yard touchdown in the third quarter of the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Madison, Wisconsin. BYU won 24-21. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
MADISON, WI - SEPTEMBER 15: Squally Canada #22 of the BYU Cougars dives into the end zone for a two-yard touchdown in the third quarter of the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Madison, Wisconsin. BYU won 24-21. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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STATE COLLEGE, PA – SEPTEMBER 15: Trace McSorley #9 of the Penn State Nittany Lions warms up before the game between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Kent State Golden Flashes at Beaver Stadium on September 15, 2018 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Penn State has quietly put together a nice couple of weekends after it’s week one scare with Appalachian State. The Nittany Lions went to Pitt and dismantled the Panthers in week two and just put up 63 points on Kent State last weekend. They’ll have one more tune-up against Illinois Friday night before hosting the Buckeyes the following week.

The opponents haven’t been outstanding, but Penn State is doing what a dominant team should do against lesser opponents. There’s no longer a reason to think Penn State isn’t a playoff contender. The game against Ohio State could change that, of course, but that game is looking like a game-of-the-year candidate.

Trace McSorley has found his groove now too. His passing numbers aren’t ideal, he only completed 11 of 22 passes against Kent State, but he’s as dangerous with his legs as anybody. His nine carries went for 54 yards and three scores on the ground, to pair with his two scores through the air.

Penn State’s season will be defined by the outcome of the game against Ohio State. As a divisional matchup, the tiebreaker is everything. Whichever team loses must rely on the other to drop not one, but two conference games the rest of the season. Both Penn State and Ohio State are best served just winning the game. Obviously.

The winner will likely hold the top spot in these power rankings for the following few weeks.