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Big Ten football: predicting the final records in the East

By Christopher Mangum

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 29: Kris Jenkins #94 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts against the Michigan State Spartans during the second quarter at Michigan Stadium on October 29, 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 29: Kris Jenkins #94 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts against the Michigan State Spartans during the second quarter at Michigan Stadium on October 29, 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) /
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STATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 22: Penn State Nittany Lions celebrate after the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Beaver Stadium on October 22, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 22: Penn State Nittany Lions celebrate after the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Beaver Stadium on October 22, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

3. Penn State

Current record/rank: 6-2 (3-2 Big Ten), No. 16 (AP)
Projected record: 10-2 (7-2 Big Ten)
Best win: Minnesota (45-17)

Penn State football might not get the credit it deserves right now. Sure, the Nittany Lions have lost two of its last three games, but when put in perspective these losses are not so bad. both losses are to top-four teams — Michigan and Ohio State — and aside from those two games (and Purdue) PSU has dominated.

The Nittany Lions were the first Big Ten team to ever play at Jordan-Hare Stadium, even got an ‘Orange Out’ game, and still won 41-12 in SEC country. Penn State also beat Purdue Week 1 in its ‘Black Out’ game, and dominated a solid Minnesota team in the White Out two weekends ago.

The Nittany Lions are the first and only Big Ten team to give Ohio State a scare so far this year, and gave the Buckeyes a solid game start to finish. Despite turning the ball over four times, Penn State had a lead in the second half and lost by less than two touchdowns. The Michigan game was ugly, but the Wolverines gave PSU a Maize Out in Ann Arbor, which is a hard place and environment to win at.

I think Penn State will finish the year 10-2, maybe even 11-2 with a New Year’s Six win by season’s end. The Lions still have to face Rutgers, Indiana, Maryland, and Michigan State. I expect Penn State to go 4-0 over this stretch. Just because Penn State lost to Michigan and Ohio State does not make the Nittany Lions a bad team. In fact, there is a very good chance PSU climbs back into the top-10 to end the season.

Following the 2020 and 2021 campaigns — which both saw Penn State under-perform by quite a bit (4-5 in ’20, 7-6 in ’21) — Penn State fans should be very happy about this turnaround.

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