Record against teams in the season-ending top 25

[saturdaysarebetter]

I came across this on another board and assuming that info is legit. Maybe it's not so easy to win against top-25 teams, huh. Who knew, right?

*Final AP rankings used
This is each programs record against the final AP top 25 since 1936:

1. Alabama (163-158-12)- .515
2. Ohio State (134-143-12)- .484
3. Oklahoma (134-158-6)- .460
4. Notre Dame (142-179-9)- .444
5. USC (126-171-10)- .427
6. Florida State (92-133-3)- .410
7. Michigan (121-179-8)- .406
8. Texas (118-185-5)- .391
9. Penn State (101-165-5)- .382
10. Georgia (107-184-9)- .372
11. Tennessee (100-191-15)- .351
12. Miami (91-169-2)- .351
13. Florida (109-214-6)- .340
14. LSU (104-207-9)- .339
15. Auburn (96-209-8)- .319
16. Nebraska (83-188-4)- .309
17. Clemson (65-162-2)- .288
18. UCLA (75-196-14)- .288
19. Georgia Tech (74-202-6)- .273
20. Oregon (63-177-3)- .265
21. Washington (69-198-6)- .264
22. Michigan State (71-211-3)- .254
23. Ole Miss (63-189-4)- .254
24. TCU (50-186-7)- .220
25. Texas A&M (64-231-3)- .220
26. Arkansas (61-224-5)- .219

 

[Nits1989]

Very interesting data.

 

[Catch1lion]

Almost mirrors all time total wins. Percentages are lower than I would guess

 

[PSUFTG]

Last 10 years - which matches up w HCJF time at PSU, and Campbell at ISU:

Vs Top 25:

PSU: 16-25 (of course, 1-14 of something like that against Top 5, 15-11 vs all others)
ISU: 14-20 (but only 4 games vs Top 5)

Vs Not top 25:
PSU: 71-5 (57 of those wins vs P4 teams, 14 vs lower class)
ISU: 58-30 (43 of the wins vs P4, 15 vs lower class)

Just the numbers, take them for what you will - though I don't think the general gist should surprise anyone.
1) Roughly equal vs Top 25 - but PSU's "top 25" opponents were generally much higher in the rankings, and PSU struggled greatly against the best of the best.
2) PSU with a rather stellar record of "not losing" to lesser opponents, while ISU was hit-and-miss even against lesser teams.

Obviously, two very different programs. But that's just the data.

 

[Nitt1300]

So, you're either Bama or you're not.

 

[Marshall2323]

Ohio State has lost 9 conference games since 2014. No one save Michigan (see prior to Stalions) in the conference at that time has beaten them more than once. Adding Oregon isn't going to increase PSU's win percentage IMO.
For Campbell to best the Franklin era, he will need to beat Ohio State, Oregon, Michigan and now Indiana/USC more than CJF (seemingly not difficult).....while matching the 71-5 record vs "teams without a pulse." I've got popcorn.

 

[Nitt1300]

Ohio State has lost 9 conference games since 2014. No one save Michigan (see prior to Stalions) in the conference at that time has beaten them more than once. Adding Oregon isn't going to increase PSU's win percentage IMO.
For Campbell to best the Franklin era, he will need to beat Ohio State, Oregon, Michigan and now Indiana/USC more than CJF (seemingly not difficult).....while matching the 71-5 record vs "teams without a pulse." I've got popcorn.

there you go again, acting like facts matter

 

[Nittering Nabob]

The available stats apparently go back to 1936. Can someone with access to the source data do a breakdown by PSU coach?

Higgins (1930 - 1948)
Bedenk (1949)
Engle (1950 - 1965)
Paterno (1966 - 2011)
Bradley (2011)
O'Brien (2012 - 2013)
Franklin (2014 - 2025)
Smith (2025)

 

[laKavosiey-st lion]

the most go State beat owls post of all time

 

[Nittering Nabob]

The available stats apparently go back to 1936. Can someone with access to the source data do a breakdown by PSU coach?

Higgins (1930 - 1948)
Bedenk (1949)
Engle (1950 - 1965)
Paterno (1966 - 2011)
Bradley (2011)
O'Brien (2012 - 2013)
Franklin (2014 - 2025)
Smith (2025)

Per Google AI

During his 46-year career as head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions, Joe Paterno compiled an all-time record of approximately 86–82–2 against opponents ranked in the AP Top 25, giving him a winning percentage just above .512

 

[PSUcup]

I think in the last 10 years it’s 7 losses vs non top 25 finishing teams

2016 - Pitt
2018 - Mich State
2020 - Maryland, Nebraska
2021 - Illinois
2025 - UCLA, NW