Big Ten Football: Ranking the top 5 programs since 2015
3. Penn State Nittany Lions
At No. 3 is Penn State — a program that made a tremendous rebound after the NCAA sanctions that were expected to cripple the team from 2011-2015. Though PSU is ranked at three in this list, there is a legitimate argument to put the Nittany Lions at No. 2.
Regardless, here are Penn State’s accomplishments and accolades since 2015:
- Three top-10 finishes
- Four ranked finishes
- Two bowl wins
- Two NY6 wins
- One outright division title
- One conference title
- Three 10-win seasons
- Three 11+ win seasons
- 60 total wins
When James Franklin was hired, he was tasked with guiding a program that had been limited by severe NCAA sanctions. In 2014, Penn State was finally allowed to play in bowl games again, and by 2016, Franklin had Penn State playing at an elite level. Like the previous two programs, Penn State has one win over Ohio State since 2015 and, like Michigan, one conference title.
What gives Penn State the edge over Michigan and Iowa? The Nittany Lions have more top-10 finishes and more meaningful wins. Even after falling just short to USC in the 2017 Rose Bowl, Penn State has more 11-win seasons than any program in the conference outside of Ohio State, and two NY6 wins.
For reference, Michigan’s last three 11-win seasons were in 2021, 2011, and 2006; while Iowa’s last three 11-win seasons came in 2015, 2008, and 2002. Additionally, Michigan’s last three NY6 wins were in 2011, 1997, and 2002; meanwhile, Iowa’s past three NY6 wins came in 2009, 1982, and 1958. Penn State accomplishing what they have in the past few seasons alone ranks them at No. 3 in the conference since 2015.