College Football Playoff Rankings 2022: Projected Top 25 for Week 14

COLUMBUS, OHIO - NOVEMBER 26: J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts after scoring a touchdown during the second half of a college football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on November 26, 2022 in Columbus, Ohio. The Michigan Wolverines won the game 45-23 over the Ohio State Buckeyes and clinched the Big Ten East Title. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images) /

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Penn State cornerback Kalen King (4) celebrates with Jaylen Reed (7) after intercepting a pass against Michigan State at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, in State College. The Nittany Lions won, 35-16.Hes Dr 112622 Psumsu /

There was a point on Saturday when it looked like Penn State was going to choke a big lead against Michigan State and drop to 9-3 on the year, but the Nittany Lions shook off a 13-0 Michigan State run in the second half to score two late touchdowns and make the game look more lopsided than it really was.

Penn State won 35-16 and improved to 10-2 on the season and James Franklin continues to coach the third-best team in the Big Ten and he’ll be playing in yet another New Year’s Six bowl this year. The Nittany Lions should sneak into the top 10.

You have to wonder, though, if the Nittany Lions would have potentially beaten either Michigan or Ohio State this year if Drew Allar was the starting quarterback, but the experience and steadiness of Sean Clifford was good enough for 10 wins. He finished his season, and home career, with four touchdown passes against MSU.

The Nittany Lions have impressed me this year.

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