Fansided

College Football Playoff Rankings 2017: Projected top four after Week 7

By Brad Weiss

TUSCALOOSA, AL - OCTOBER 14: Damien Harris #34 of the Alabama Crimson Tide breaks a tackle by Kevin Richardson II #30 of the Arkansas Razorbacks on the way to scoring a touchdown at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
TUSCALOOSA, AL - OCTOBER 14: Damien Harris #34 of the Alabama Crimson Tide breaks a tackle by Kevin Richardson II #30 of the Arkansas Razorbacks on the way to scoring a touchdown at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA – SEPTEMBER 30: DaeSean Hamilton #5 is congratulated by Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions after Barkley threw Hamilton a touchdown pass during the fourth quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers on September 30, 2017 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. Penn State defeats Indiana 45-14. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA – SEPTEMBER 30: DaeSean Hamilton #5 is congratulated by Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions after Barkley threw Hamilton a touchdown pass during the fourth quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers on September 30, 2017 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. Penn State defeats Indiana 45-14. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
2

Penn State Nittany Lions (6-0)

Last week: Off
Last rank: 3

Sure, the Penn State Nittany Lions had the weekend off in Week 7 but that does not mean they fall in our rankings. In fact, with Clemson losing to Syracuse on the road on Friday night, we actually like Penn State to jump into the No. 2 spot in the country when the new rankings come out. The Nittany Lions have been drilling their opponents this season, and aside from a nail-biter against Iowa on the road, their schedule looks pretty spotless up until this point.

However, after their bye week is when it really gets interesting, and all of America will be watching them on Saturday. The Nittany Lions will play host to Michigan in a game so big that College GameDay will be there for the festivities. Even if they do get past the Wolverines, it is not clear sailing from there, as they have to go up against both Ohio State and Michigan State on the road after the Michigan game.

Knowing head coach James Franklin, he is going to have his team only focusing on the task at hand, which will be frustrating new Michigan signal-caller John O’Korn next Saturday night. Beaver Stadium will be in full White-Out mode, so expect the Wolverines quarterback to struggle in that one. In addition, Penn State will likely feature a heavy dose of running back Saquon Barkley, who is the front-runner to win the Heisman Trophy heading into Week 8.

Barkley not only leads Penn State in rushing but also receiving, as he has been a beast all over the field this season. Quarterback Trace McSorley has picked up right where he left off last season and has 13 touchdowns against only four interceptions this season. This team has not allowed more than 19 points in any game and already has two shutouts in 2017. They have been dominant, but the real tests await.

Home/College Football Playoff