Penn State is a top-5 team in the US LBM Coaches Poll after defeating UCLA on Saturday.
Penn State stayed undefeated on Saturday as the college football scene saw major shakeups, and the Nittany Lions were recognized by voters in the Coaches Poll.
In the latest US LBM Coaches Poll, released Sunday, Penn State moved up to No. 5, having been ranked No. 7 prior to their 27-11 victory over UCLA. The full poll can be viewed below or by clicking here.
Following their win against the Bruins, Penn State’s record now stands at 5-0 overall and 2-0 in Big Ten competition.
The Associated Press Top 25 College Football Poll is expected to be released around 2 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Texas held onto the No. 1 spot in the Coaches Poll, securing 44 first-place votes. However, there were significant changes in the rankings after the Longhorns. The updated top five includes No. 2 Ohio State (11 first-place votes), No. 3 Oregon, No. 4 Georgia, and No. 5 Penn State. The top 10 is completed by No. 6 Miami, No. 7 Alabama, No. 8 Ole Miss, No. 9 Tennessee, and No. 10 LSU.
Penn State’s rise in the rankings was aided by the losses of previous No. 2 Alabama, No. 4 Tennessee, as well as No. 9 Missouri, No. 10 Michigan, and No. 15 USC.
The Big Ten is well-represented with No. 2 Ohio State, No. 3 Oregon, No. 5 Penn State, No. 20 Indiana, No. 21 Michigan, and No. 23 Illinois. In the receiving votes category, USC is unofficially ranked at No. 26, followed by Nebraska at No. 27, with Rutgers and Iowa tied for No. 39 and No. 41, respectively.
With USC dropping out of the top 25, Penn State’s remaining schedule includes a key matchup against No. 2 Ohio State on Nov. 2. The Nittany Lions have already secured a win over No. 23 Illinois.
In Penn State’s victory over UCLA, quarterback Drew Allar completed 17 of 24 passes for 237 yards and one touchdown. Four different players recorded three receptions, with wide receiver Liam Clifford leading the group with 107 yards. Wide receiver Harrison Wallace III contributed 46 yards, while tight end Tyler Warren caught Allar’s lone touchdown pass.
Running back Nick Singleton missed the game due to a “last-minute decision,” according to head coach James Franklin. As a result, Kaytron Allen stepped up as the primary running back, posting a career-high 21 carries for 78 yards and a touchdown.
On defense, defensive end Abdul Carter continued to impress with 1.5 tackles for loss, while safety Jaylen Reed added a sack and forced a fumble. Defensive tackle Zane Durant and defensive end Amin Vanover shared a sack.
Penn State and USC are set to kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, with the game airing on CBS.
US LBM COACHES POLL [FULL POLL]
- Texas (44 first-place votes)
- Ohio State (11)
- Oregon
- Georgia
- Penn State
- Miami
- Alabama
- Ole Miss
- Tennessee
- LSU
- Clemson
- Notre Dame
- Iowa State
- Texas A&M
- BYU
- Oklahoma
- Utah
- Missouri
- Kansas State
- Indiana
- Michigan
- Boise State
- Illinois
- Pittsburgh
- SMU