Adam Rittenburg’s Big Ten Power Rankings came out in ESPN.com this morning. I cringed as I scrolled down to find the Nittany Lions had free-fallen to Number 10, with only the Golden Gophers beneath:

10. Penn State (3-3, 0-2): The defense is depleted by injuries, the offense has no identity and a bowl appearance is no longer guaranteed for Joe Paterno’s squad. Penn State finished the first half with a thud, suffering its worst Homecoming loss in Paterno’s lengthy tenure. At least the bye week comes at the perfect time, as Penn State needs to regroup on both sides of the ball. The Lions always could rely on their stout defense, but the injury situation really changes things going forward.

An Indiana-Minnesota sandwich? Lion meat in the middle? Someone wake me from this nightmare!

Last week, I declared Penn State as solidly in the middle of the Big Ten pack. This week they’re at the bottom.

Meh!