PSU winning more NCAA titles than B1G titles has a lot more to do with makeup of the PSU lineup during those years, rather than with peaking physically and mentally.
Three time PSU finished second at B1Gs, then went on to win NCAAs. This happened in 2017 (losing B1G to anOSU), 2018 (anOSU), and 2022 (Michigan). In every case, the B1G team champion finished 2nd at NCAAs. The difference was that the five or so PSU guys that won B1G titles in those years were good enough usually win an NCAA title as well. Whereas, once the rest of the national field entered the picture, the 5 to 7 B1G champs from anOSU or Michigan were spread out among 1st thru 5th place.
It all came down to PSU having more truly elite guys in the lineup, whereas the other teams in question (anOSU, Michigan) had more balance throughout the lineup. The strong, balanced lineups helped to win B1G titles, but could not match the high-end talent of PSU when the national field entered the equation at NCAAs.
