Penn State is currently ranked #6 by both the AP Poll and Coaches Poll. The Nittany Lions are 5-0, including a 38-24 victory over then #22 Illinois. PSU is led by Junior quarterback Daryll Clark, who leads the Big Ten in passing efficiency. The high-powered offense of the Nittany Lions are averaging just under 50 points per game, and they have beaten their opponents by an average of 37 points. The team is showing the country that they should be considered a national power.
But do they really deserve this high praise at this point in the season. Besides the Illini, Penn State has beaten the likes of Coastal Carolina (FCS team), Oregon St. (unlikely upset of then #1 USC), Syracuse (Worst team in FBS?), and Temple (enough said). They did handle Illinois well, but that is the same Illinois team that had to recover an onside kick in order to hold on to a 20-17 victory over Louisiana-Lafayette.
This Penn State team is getting a lot of praise, but they have not really done much at this point. Their first test may come this weekend at Purdue (12:00 EST on ESPN). The Nittany Lions have been known to start slow on the road, especially with a 12pm start. Purdue, though, has a lackluster defense that Penn State should be able to exploit. This week may be a stepping stone to the big three of the Big Ten as PSU goes on the road to Wisconsin (8:00 EST on ESPN or ESPN2), return home for Michigan (4:30 EST on ESPN or ESPN2), and then have to travel to Columbus to face Ohio State (8:00 EST on ABC or ESPN). This team is in for a test the next few weeks and will truly have to earn their ranking... or prove that they are indeed overrated.
