Big Ten Football: Power Rankings – Week One

5. Penn State (6)

Last Week: 26-24 win over Central Florida

Steve Flynn-USA TODAY Sports

How amazing that Penn State’s Sam Ficken, 0-for-4 on field goals in the 2012 season opener, would come through in the clutch with a 36-yard game-winning field goal across the pond.

Ficken was a flawless 4-for-4 booting the ball against the Knights, by the way.

James Franklin got the dramatic win in his debut in large part due to the Nittany Lions’ passing game.

Super sophomore quarterback Christian Hackenberg passed for a school record 454 yards and Penn State found their next two stud receivers in Daeshean Hamilton (165 yards) and Geno Lewis (173 yards).

The passing game wasn’t perfect as Hackenberg was constantly pressured and forced the ball, resulting in two interceptions.

PSU hardly had a choice when it came to putting the ball in the air as its rushing game was stopped dead in its tracks by an underrated UCF defense.

Franklin’s boys produced a scant 57 yards on the ground as a result

With the game seemingly in hand, a late quarterback switch by the Knights provided a spark to their offense.

Late in the third quarter, Central Florida crawled it’s way back in the game setting up the need for late game heroics.

This Week: Akron (Sept 6 – 11 A.M. on ABC/ESPN2)

My Prediction: Penn State 41-13