The days of penciling in Penn State only behind Ohio State in the preseason predictions are over for now. Following two disappointing seasons, Athlon has Penn State moving down the pecking order in the Big Ten East Division.
Athlon picked the Nittany Lions to finish fourth in the division in 2022 - behind Ohio State, Michigan and Michigan State. This should come as no surpise following a season where Michigan finally beat Ohio State, helping propel them to a playoff berth. Michigan State came out of nowhere to finish #9 in the nation thanks to an 11-win season.