College Football Rankings 2019: Projected Top 25, Week 5 – Wisconsin rising
By Zach Bigalke
Scouting Report. 12. player. 806. Pick Analysis. idle in Week 4. 9/27 at Maryland. Penn State Nittany Lions
Penn State tapered off some after a big leap prior to Week 3, as their 17-10 victory at home in the 100th edition of their rivalry game against Pittsburgh proved underwhelming. They dropped nearly a full place on average on individual ballots and barely held on to a share of the No. 13 spot as Wisconsin climbed up into a tie at the pivot point of the AP Top 25.
The defense has been a standout group, especially the defensive front seven. Penn State ranks 14th in sacks and fourth in total tackles for loss as a team, led by Micah Parsons and Yetur Gross-Matos. They allow just 10 points per game, putting them seventh among FBS schools. But the offense has lagged in comparison, with the running game struggling and quarterback Sean Clifford currently sitting under 59 percent in completion rate.
After Maryland collapsed against Temple in Week 3, next week’s showdown between the Terrapins and Nittany Lions lost some of its luster. But the Big Ten opener for James Franklin’s team still affords the opportunity to claim a quality win on the road and start a climb back up the AP Top 25.