Penn State Football Power Rankings: Can Nittany Lions Compete with Michigan, Ohio State for Big Ten East Title?

For Penn State Football, the Big Ten is set to be as competitive as ever this season.

James Franklin, John Harbaugh, and Ryan Day all return for 2023 to shape up the cream of the crop of the nation’s oldest conference.

It’s going to be a heavyweight slugfest at the top of the Ten this year as Penn State, Ohio State, and Michigan will look to compete for the Big Ten East title.

The East has run the conference for several years now and with Ohio State and Michigan both coming off multi College Football Playoff appearances, Penn State has to do their best to compete with them this season.

The three teams will all matchup this season for what will surely be the two defining games on their respective schedules. One loss could be enough to make the difference in playing in a bowl game vs the Nittany Lions making the College Football Playoff for the first time ever.

Here are my power rankings, with how Penn State Football Stacks up among the Big 3 in the Big Ten East

No. 1: Michigan

Michigan returns a star-studded core of offensive firepower and a dynamo head coach.

Harbaugh again buffed on NFL teams’ interest and he seems committed to Michigan (for now). He will have a Heisman candidate QB in JJ McCarthy, one of the nation’s premier running backs returning in Blake Corum, and the explosive Donovan Edwards as his 1-2 counterpart.

Michigan is set to return at least six starters from last year’s team and is set to defend their path back to the CFP for the 3rd straight season.

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No. 2: Ohio State

A new era is ushering in at The Shoe for OSU this year.

Gone is C.J. Stroud while his replacement is TBD.

As often happens, OSU lost their starting QB, three offensive linemen, a 1st round receiver, and more to the NFL Draft. A star-studded team last year will have to regroup and retool after last year’s heartbreaking loss to Georgia in the semifinals of the CFP.

The good news? Marvin Harrison may be the best receiver in college football in this millennium.

No. 3: Penn State

The buzz surrounding Drew Allar is undeniable. However, can he trust who he is throwing to?

On the other side of the ball, can PSU stop the pass this year without the likes of Joey Porter Jr. and Ji’Ayir Brown?

Penn State Football returns an experienced group who can compete with the best of any team when they play their game. Last year saw Penn State lose to both OSU and Michigan, but all three teams look much different this year.

The run game should be strong with a dynamic group of backs who can all do different things with the football. This season will likely be defined by Allar and his ability to command Franklin’s offense.