College football rankings: What Penn State's loss to Illinois means for Ohio State, Michigan, and more

 

7th place On Saturday, Penn State lost a heartbreaking 20-18 game against Illinois. To get there, it took nine overtimes.

The setback is the Nittany Lions' second in a row, and they are no longer in any form of championship contention. Illinois entirely abandoned the passing game, and the defence was gashed on the ground (8 of 21 passes completed for 38 yards and one interception). Chase Brown (33 carries, 223 yards, 1 touchdown) and Joshua McCray (24 carries, 142 yards) were unstoppable. Penn State was a 23.5-point favourite going into the game.

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Despite this, the defence did a terrific job, allowing only 10 points in regulation and only one touchdown. Penn State's offence, on the other hand, was unable to produce much, totaling only 227 yards of offence for the whole game. Even quarterback Sean Clifford's return (19-of-34 passing, 165 yards, one score) wasn't enough to lift the Nittany Lions to victory.

What impact will Penn State's loss have on the top 25 teams? Georgia, Cincinnati, Oklahoma, and Alabama, the top four teams in the country, will be untouched. Neither will Ohio State or Michigan, though they will gain a different kind of advantage as a result of the Nittany Lions' loss.

Following that, Sporting News lays out who will rise and fall as a result of Penn State's loss.

Rankings reflect AP Top 25/Coaches Poll

Ohio State (5-1)

Previous rank: 5/5

The Buckeyes will undoubtedly gain from Penn State's setback, despite the fact that they are now ranked ahead of Penn State in both polls. 

Instead, it gives them a two-game lead over the rest of the Big Ten East. If the Buckeyes want to return to the Playoff, they'll have to go unbeaten in the conference title game with only one loss to Oregon.

 Even if Ohio State loses, the Buckeyes can still contend for the Big Ten title. With Penn State's loss, Ohio State just needs to lose three Big Ten games — or two if one of them is against the Nittany Lions in Week 9 — to fall behind in the conference standings. That will not be the case.

Michigan (7-0)

Previous rank: 6/6

In a 33-7 rout of Northwestern on Saturday, the Wolverines showed no signs of sluggishness after their bye week. Given the margin of victory over the Wildcats, they promised they wouldn't drop on the field. Penn State's loss will have no bearing on that, and, like its Big Ten foe Ohio State, can only assist Michigan in the Big Ten.

Oklahoma State University is a public university in Oklahoma City (6-1)

Previous position: 8/9

The Cowboys also lost their unblemished streak, falling 24-21 against Iowa State, a preseason top-10 team. Mike Gundy's squad would have been the first to benefit directly from Penn State's loss, but they are now likely to drop three or four slots. Oklahoma State should be able to stay in the top 15 for the time being.

What does this signify for the Cowboys' chances of making the playoffs? There isn't much. They're still in charge of their fate and on their way to Bedlam in 2021, which may be the opening of a two-game series. Oklahoma State, like so many other teams this year, has utilised its mulligan, but can still make the NCAA tournament by winning out and winning the conference championship.

Michigan State University (7-0)

Previous position: 9/7

After beating Indiana 20-15, the Spartans will get a week off. The Spartans will have a one-spot advantage over their division opponent because of their bye week. 

In any case, this sets up an unbeaten rivalry game in East Lansing vs Michigan.

Oregon is a state in the United States (6-1)

Previous position: 10/10

Oregon upset UCLA in a 34-31 thriller on Saturday, and its 6-1 record could help it move up one slot. The Ducks are currently in win-or-bust scenario, as a defeat would not only push them lower down the rankings, but would also eliminate them from Playoff contention. 

Because Oregon is the conference's only one-loss club, this would also eliminate the entire Pac-12 squad from national championship contention.

Lowa is a state in the United States (6-1)

Previous position: 11/11

Iowa is off in Week 8, which is a risky position to be in when those ahead of you falter. However, Iowa's head-to-head victory over the Nittany Lions ensures that the Nittany Lions will be ranked below the Hawkeyes in the newest rankings, ensuring that Iowa will play in Week 9 as a top-10 team.

Despite a disappointing loss to Purdue in Week 7, Iowa still has complete control of the Big Ten West, as well as the Playoff. For the rest of the season, all the Hawkeyes have to do is win.

Penn State is a university in Pennsylvania (5-2)

Previous position: 7/8

In terms of championship aspirations, the Nittany Lions' season is finished. They simply require much too much assistance in the Big Ten to represent the East division in Indianapolis, and they will require even more assistance with multiple unbeaten and one-loss teams still standing.

 In terms of the most recent rankings, Penn State is expected to fall well outside the top 10, and maybe outside the top 15. If Ole Miss, Notre Dame, Wake Forest, Texas A&M, and N.C. State — all of whom have one loss or fewer — win on Saturday, that will undoubtedly be the case. That could drop the Nittany Lions all the way to 18, just ahead of Auburn, with whom Penn State has a head-to-head matchup.

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