Associated press

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — With Penn State’s strong push for a College Football Playoff spot still a few wins away from completion, the biggest roadblock to a bid for the Nittany Lions has appeared in this favorable final third of their schedule with a trip to Minnesota.

That’s why this week is obviously too early for them to talk about hosting the first 12-team tournament – no matter how attractive their prospects may be.

“I think the quality of the teams we play every week speaks for itself,” quarterback Drew Allar said. “But as far as rankings go, it doesn’t really matter until it matters.”

Penn State (9-1, 6-1 Big Ten) is fourth in both the AP Poll and CFP rankings this week and needs help for any long-term hopes of reaching the Big Ten title game because of a loss to now-No . 2 Ohio State on November 2.

In this new era of playoff expansion, the Nittany Lions are on solid footing for an at-large bid. However, lose to the unranked Gophers (6-4, 4-3) and that ground could become shaky given the current collection of standout two-loss teams in the SEC.

Just in case the Nittany Lions needed proof of the danger of diverging focus, coach James Franklin and his staff can call up the tape as of Nov. 9, 2019. That’s when an undefeated Penn State team came to Minnesota and lost 31-26.

The Nittany Lions lost again two weeks later at Ohio State to finish 11-2, one of the few not-quite performances for this storied program that last went undefeated in 1994 and hasn’t been recognized as national champions since 1986.

The Gophers themselves were undefeated after that game before losses to rivals Iowa and Wisconsin ended their Rose Bowl quest. This team doesn’t have the level of talent and success of five years ago, but the chemistry is off the charts. During meetings with players this week, coach PJ Fleck drew attention to some of the individual standout performances that fueled the landmark 2019 win.

“We need our best playmakers to play at their best. Penn State needs their playmakers to be their best. That’s what happens in November,” Fleck said.

Warren’s momentum

Tyler Warren has already broken almost every record for Penn State tight ends. The do-it-all player is becoming such a force that his teammates insist he is worthy of the Heisman Trophy and will head to the top of the NFL draft board for his position next spring.

“He’s the best tight end in America, but he’s also the most complete tight end in America,” Allar said.

Warren is coming off a 190-yard performance at Purdue, including 63 yards on three rushes and 127 yards on eight receptions.

“He has the ability to take a play that should be two or three yards and turn it into 30 or 40 yards,” Gophers defensive back Danny Striggow said.

Carter vs. Ersery

Penn State’s Abdul Carter has 17½ tackles for loss, second most in the FBS, and eight sacks, matching third most in the Big Ten. He has a challenging matchup this week with Minnesota left tackle Aireontae Ersery facing him in a battle for projected first-round NFL draft picks.

Gophers coaches told Striggow and his fellow defensive linemen a few seasons ago to enjoy the chance to meet Ersery in practice.

“That’s one of the best looks you can get in the country,” Striggow said.

Carter has successfully made the transition from linebacker this season.

“He impacts the game in a number of ways, which creates opportunities for other guys on our defensive line and within our defense and causes a lot of headaches,” Franklin said. “He is becoming more and more of a leader every day.”

Security measures

Allar and the Nittany Lions have paid particular attention to protecting the ball this week, as the Gophers have 16 interceptions, one shy of the national lead. Penn State quarterback Drew Allar believes he needs to be especially accurate this weekend as Minnesota has 16 interceptions this season.

“We’re just going to have to be disciplined and stick to our game plan,” Allar said.

Seniors day

The Gophers have a strong group of departing players who will take the field for the final time at Huntington Bank Stadium, including Ersery, quarterback Max Brosmer, wide receiver Daniel Jackson, right guard Quinn Carroll, cornerback Justin Walley, kicker Dragan Kesich and Striggow.

“It was good to reflect, but it’s not over yet,” Striggow said. “I cut out those brief windows of reflection and then say, ‘We have some more memories to make.’”

___

Receive poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 all season long. Sign up here. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football.