PSU surprising fourth in poll

The first College Football Playoff rankings are out, and Penn State got some early respect.

The Nittany Lions came in at No. 4, meaning that if the season ended today, they would make the playoffs along with No. 3 Alabama, No. 2 LSU and No. 1 Ohio State.

Penn State is in the middle of an 8-0 season with wins against Big Ten rivals No. 18 Iowa, No. 14 Michigan and Michigan State. They are tied for first place in the Big Ten East with Ohio State and have the second-best scoring defense in the country behind the Buckeyes.

After a well-timed off week, Penn State will travel Saturday to Minnesota to face the undefeated and Big Ten West-leading Gophers, who came in at No. 17 in the initial rankings. Minnesota is ranked 13th in this week’s AP Top 25 and the coaches poll.

After facing Indiana Nov. 15, Penn State will travel to Ohio Stadium Nov. 23 to face Ohio State in a game that likely could have important playoff implications.