Big Ten Football: Power Rankings – Week Four

4. Penn State (4-0, 1-0)

Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports

Last Week: Beat Massachusetts 48-7

Penn State remains one of two undefeated teams in the Big Ten, yet has gained little momentum in the polls or among national analysts.

A good explanation for that is because of the way the Nittany Lions have won. Two narrow victories don’t help Penn State’s case, but the fact that the Nittany Lions haven’t been able to muster up a running game has also been troubling.

The young offensive line and veteran running backs have been questioned in Happy Valley, and boy did they have an answer against Massachusetts.

Penn State rushed for 228 yards and five touchdowns against the Minutemen. The rushing total was one yard more than the Nittany Lions had produced in the first three weeks combined.

It’s a tall order to ask James Franklin’s running backs and offensive line to carry that same efficiency into conference play.

However, combined with Christian Hackenberg and an impressive receiving corps, a successful running game could pave the way for one of the nation’s top offenses.

Penn State has a chance to grab a second confernce victory this weekend versus a free-falling Northwestern team.

This Week: Northwestern (Sept 27th 11 a.m. on BTN)

My Prediction: Penn State 38-14