The most important Week 4 takeaways for each Top 25 team
Can anyone stop Alabama? It doesn't look like it, but maybe Old Dominion should give it a try after shocking Virginia Tech. What else did we learn today?
2018 ScheduleAll times ET
2018 Schedule
4-0, 1st in Big Ten - East
Seth Walder ESPN Analytics
The 10 best teams in college football -- going forward -- as we head into today's action, according to FPI.
Adam Rittenberg ESPN Staff Writer
"We are getting better. There's certain plays, there's certain quarters, there's certain series that you're not happy with," James Franklin said after Penn State improved to 4-0.
Sanders runs all over Illini defense (0:47)
Adam Rittenberg ESPN Staff Writer
"We're not there yet," Penn State coach James Franklin said of building depth on defense, especially at the linebacker position.
Adam Rittenberg ESPN Staff Writer
Penn State running back Miles Sanders on what the team must improve on going forward and an upgraded Lions offensive line.
Penn State takes off in 2nd half to avoid a stumble (1:48)
Sanders, McSorley lead No. 10 Penn State over Illinois 63-24
Miles Sanders set career highs by rushing for 200 yards and three touchdowns, Trace McSorley threw for three TDs and ran for a personal-best 92 yards, and No. 10 Penn State scored 35 points in the fourth quarter to pull away for a 63-24 victory over...
Adam Rittenberg ESPN Staff Writer
Penn State overcame a shaky two and a half quarters to blow out Illinois 63-24. Next up: Ohio State. Whiteout at Beaver Stadium next week.
Adam Rittenberg ESPN Staff Writer
You know you're a big deal when you're taking pictures before the end of the game.
Slade breaks off 61-yard TD run (0:35)
Adam Rittenberg ESPN Staff Writer
For all the panic about Penn State's offense post-Saquon Barkley/Joe Moorhead, the Lions not only have a viable rushing threat in Miles Sanders, but new coordinator Ricky Rahne has maintained the selective aggressiveness that came to define Moorhead's PSU offenses. It helps, of course, to have a quarterback like Trace McSorley, who tonight overcame a choppy first half and has delivered after halftime.
McSorley throws 3rd TD of game (0:22)
McSorley delivers 16-yard TD (0:23)
Sanders breaks tackle, takes off for 48-yard TD (0:27)
Sanders runs in for his 2nd TD (0:35)
Corbin runs up the middle for 2-yard Illini TD (0:18)
Sanders runs 14 yards for 1st Penn State TD (0:22)
Seth Walder ESPN Analytics
It isn't too early to start thinking about Ohio State-Penn State in Week 5: the most impactful game on the playoff race (conference championship games aside) this college football season, per ESPN's Playoff Predictor.
The biggest game for Penn State and every other Top 25 team
From rivalry games to the battles that will decide the College Football Playoff, these are the biggest contests for the nation's top teams.
Campus Conversation: Meyer's Presser, B1G CFP Chances, Issues At FSU & UCLA
Peter Burns, Heather Dinich & Adam Rittenberg react to Urban Meyer's press conference (1:30), explain why Ohio State is the Big 10's best hope at the CFP (12:56), whether things are worse for Florida State or UCLA (21:25) and more. Plus, Walk-Ons (31:44) and Extra Points (38:02).
Seth Walder ESPN Analytics
For the second straight week Notre Dame's chance to reach the playoff dropped more than anyone else's despite earning a win. That the Fighting Irish only beat Vanderbilt by 5 at home lowered FPI's opinion of them and hurt their projections going forward.
Seth Walder ESPN Analytics
The 10 most likely teams to reach the College Football Playoff, per ESPN's Playoff Predictor.
The most important Week 3 takeaway for each Top 25 team
Wisconsin gets stunned, Kyler Murray aces his first road test and LSU outlasts Auburn in another wild one. What else have we learned so far?
McSorley scores 5-total TDs in Penn State win (1:26)
2018 Big Ten Standings
| East | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio State | 1-0 | 4-0 |
| Penn State | 1-0 | 4-0 |
| Maryland | 1-0 | 3-1 |
| Michigan | 1-0 | 3-1 |
| Michigan State | 1-0 | 2-1 |
| Indiana | 0-1 | 3-1 |
| Rutgers | 0-1 | 1-3 |
| West | CONF | OVR |
| Wisconsin | 1-0 | 3-1 |
| Northwestern | 1-0 | 1-2 |
| Iowa | 0-1 | 3-1 |
| Minnesota | 0-1 | 3-1 |
| Illinois | 0-1 | 2-2 |
| Purdue | 0-1 | 1-3 |
| Nebraska | 0-1 | 0-3 |
Team Leaders 2018
Team Stats
Passing Yards239.567th
Rushing Yards275.013th
Points For55.04th
Points Against19.539th
2018 Polls & Rankings
| AP | COACHES |
|---|---|
| 10 | 9 |
2019 Recruits
| NAME | POS | STATUS | GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon Smith | OLB | Committed | 86 |
| John Dunmore | WR | Committed | 83 |
| Devyn Ford | RB | Committed | 83 |
| Caedan Wallace | OG | Committed | 82 |
| Ta'Quan Roberson | QB-DT | Committed | 82 |
Awards
| YEAR | PLAYER | AWARD |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | S. Barkley | Paul Hornung Award |
| 2015 | C. Nassib | Lombardi Award |
| 2015 | C. Nassib | Ted Hendricks Award |
| 2015 | C. Nassib | Lott IMPACT Trophy |
| 2013 | J. Urschel | Campbell Trophy |
Find Tickets
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