Big Ten Football Power Rankings, Week 7: Iowa reigns supreme

5. Penn State Nittany Lions (5-1, 2-1)

Despite the loss to Iowa, the Nittany Lions still control their destiny concerning the College Football Playoff. That does require they run the table in the Big Ten East. However, if Penn State can run that gauntlet unscathed, they would likely make the playoff if they won the Big Ten title.

However, they might have to do so without starting quarterback Sean Clifford. The senior signal-caller left the Nittany Lions’ 23-20 road loss to the Hawkeyes with what appeared to be a mid-section injury and returned in street clothes.

Backup quarterback TaQuan Roberson was ineffective against Iowa, completing just 7-of-21 passes for 34 yards and two interceptions. The bye week could not come sooner for the Nittany Lions. Clifford has an opportunity to get healthy, and offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich gets to work with Roberson.

As of right now, the Penn State football program, namely James Franklin, is hush, hush about Clifford’s status. The Nittany Lions’ playoff chances are cooked if Clifford is out for the season. Penn State is good enough to survive Illinois without Clifford.

However, they will not survive much more of their schedule without Clifford. It has been Clifford’s improvement that has been the key to Penn State’s success this season. The Nittany Lions might struggle to make a bowl without him.