Penn State drops out of AP Top 25
Penn State is now in serious jeopardy of finishing a second straight college football season outside the AP Top 25. After suffering a fourth loss in five games, this time against the Michigan Wolverines in a defensive battle, Penn State has officially been dropped out of this week’s AP Top 25. And with two games remaining, including a tough road game at Michigan State, the possibility of finishing the season outside the top 25 is becoming a real possibility.
Penn State was being given some credit for their difficult season and close games against Iowa and Ohio State by the AP voters for as long as they could provide it, despite a nine-overtime loss to Illinois thrown in the middle. But after four losses in five games, it was time for the AP voters to remove the Nittany Lions from the AP Top 25 this week.
Getting back into the top 25 will be an uphill climb for James Franklin and the Nittnay Lions. Penn State gets a home game against a Rutgers squad coming off a blowout of Indiana but finished the season on the road against Michigan State. It’s possible the Spartans will be playing for a spot in a New Years Six bowl game, if not a Big Ten championship game invite. Penn State has struggled against the top teams in the Big Ten East with losses to Ohio State and Michigan, and a road trip to East Lansing is rarely easy, especially when the Spartans are rolling.
While some will give Penn State a slight pass for finishing outside the top 25 during the pandemic-ridden 2020 season, finishing the 2021 season out of the AP Top 25 will not be given much room for leniency from Penn State’s fans or critics.
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