Penn State is one of those schools that has a bit more name value, but they haven't really earned it over the past, well, decade.Perhaps even longer than that.
Without looking, can you tell me the last time Penn State had one or fewer losses? Probably not, so I'll tell you: it was 2005.Since then, it isn't like the program has been terrible, but they also haven't exactly been the dominant team that most associate with the name.
Since 2005, they've gone 7-1 or 8-1 in the Big 10 just four times.They did make the College Football Playoff in 2024 and won in the first round.This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners.
If you sign up or place a wager, FOX News may be compensated.This content was created by a team that works independently from the FOX newsroom.Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Chase Sowell runs with the ball during the third quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pa., on Sept.
26, 2026.(IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)Now the team comes into today's contest with a 3-1 record, and they lost their first Big 10 game of the season.
That loss came last week, at home, against Wisconsin.The Badgers are a good team, but more should be expected out of the Nittany Lions.
They dropped the game 24-20, so again, it wasn't a blowout, but this isn't a game they should've lost.It also dropped Penn State from 13th in the country to being not ranked.
Now they face a Northwestern team that has been okay over the years, but not great.Northwestern comes into this game with a 2-1 record, but a winning season from them is often more surprising than expected.The Wildcats are a decent enough team, but in the Big 10, this is not a team that most people would put as one of the top options in their conference.
The school has invested heavily in the team, but results have been average at best to this point.They started the season with a nice win over San Diego State, winning 34-18.N...