Penn State Hockey might be the hottest team in the sport.

The Nittany Lions, after knocking off No. 1 ranked Minnesota and Michigan in consecutive weekends, already were listed by ESPN’s John Buccigross as one of the top teams in College Hockey, and now the official rankings show plenty of respect to PSU, as well.

Here’s a look at where Penn State Hockey stacks up in the USCHO Poll

Movement Around the Polls

The only team to get bumped out of the top 10 this week was Ohio State, moving down to No. 12. After a huge series split with Minnesota just a week prior, Michigan State swept the Buckeyes by scores of (4-2) and (4-3).

In a classic tale of Big Ten programs beating up on each other, Michigan State comes to Pegula Ice Arena Friday night to face Penn State Hockey.

Teams looking to enter the top 10 include Boston University and Umass Lowell. BU jumped from #14 to #11 after sweeping conference foe the University of Massachusetts by promising scores of (7-2) and (5-1). This brings the Terrier’s overall record to 6-3 and 4-2 in conference play.

The University of Massachusetts dropped from No. 11 to No. 16 after the disappointing weekend.

A lot happened this weekend around the state of Boston, as the University of Massachusetts Lowell River Hawks jumped up three spots from #16 to #13 in the USCHO rankings, not to be confused with the previously spoken about UMass Minutemen.

The River Hawks have been steadily climbing since October 17, with a ranking that showed them at No. 19, they now look to crack the top 10 in the USHCO. They swept the Vermont Catamounts and managed to not let up a single goal the entire weekend, winning by scores of (4-0) and (2-0).

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Nittany Lions – A Top Five Team by Nov. 21st

Penn State Hockey will face off against Michigan State this weekend, a conference opponent ranked No. 17 in the latest USCHO rankings.

The Nittany Lions should sweep them, and when they do, anyone who argues them being outside the top five is dead wrong.

The two teams above them Quinnipiac and St Cloud have softball matchups, at Princeton and Colorado College. The Denver Pioneers play what should be a lighter one against Omaha, after a weekend sweep against previously No. 12 ranked North Dakoda.

Next to Michigan State visiting the Nittany Lions, probably the most important matchup to watch includes the No. 2 ranked Minnesota Golden Gophers facing the No. 3 ranked Michigan Wolverines.

The Gophers will visit them in Ann Arbor, Michigan to make a case for staying in the #1 spot for good this time. Overall, I predict the Nittany Lions will sweep the Michigan State Spartans, moving to #4 in the USCHO rankings and leaping Quinnipiac and St Cloud by November 21^st.

Prediction: Nittany Lions Jump to #4

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