College football rankings 2021: Projected Week 8 AP Top 25 after Iowa gets upset & Alabama, Georgia roll

Projected AP Top 25 college football rankings after Week 7: No. 6-5

6. Penn State Nittany Lions

A week after losing to Iowa, Penn State got the opportunity to rest and go on the bye. What would be rather interesting is if the Nittany Lions could perhaps jump in front of Iowa. It seems crazy, but the Hawkeyes’ loss was bad enough to drop them beyond a program they just beat.

Penn State will have its chance to get back in the driver’s seat when it visits Ohio State on October 30th. Future dates against Michigan and Michigan State will also be key in determining the picture of the Big Ten East.

5. Ohio State Buckeyes

Things are falling in the Buckeyes’ favor as they are on the bye week. Ohio State should move up into the five spot and right on the cusp of the top four. Of course, their route is the same route as Michigan and Penn State. Win the Big Ten, don’t have too many blemishes and there’s a shot at getting in.

In a couple of weeks, the Buckeyes will face Penn State. That will solve one piece of the Big Ten puzzle. Don’t discount their dates with Michigan State and Michigan as well. This is a race that is very much wide open.