Week 1: Penn State Nittany Lions vs. UCF Knights
James Franklin and company will travel to Ireland to start their 2014 campaign. In Ireland, they’ll take on the UCF Knights who knocked off the Nittany Lions last year in week 3. The Knights would go onto a 12-1 record with their only loss coming to the hands of South Carolina.
Penn State will be looking for revenge against the Knights who return this season without star quarterback Blake Bortles and running back Storm Johnson.
Most of the attention on this game and for basically the whole season will be on Penn State star quarterback Christian Hackenberg. Penn State will be looking to make a statement against UCF especially with their new look offense under Franklin and his staff.
Final Prediction: Penn State 34 – UCF 17
Week 2: Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Akron Zips
Penn State will play their first actual home game against Akron on September 6th. The Zips last season finished with a 5-7 record but their biggest game of the season may have been their heartbreaking defeat to the hands of the Michigan Wolverines.
Penn State will be coming home from oversees while Akron is coming off eight days of preparation, which plays into the Zips favor. Penn State could be in a possible “trap game” if not prepared for the Zips high tempo offense that is returning their top passer, rusher, and receiver from last season.
Final Prediction: Penn State 31 – Akron 27
Week 3: Penn State Nittany Lions @ Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Penn State travels to New Jersey for their first Big Ten game of the year, as well as Rutgers’ first ever Big Ten football game.
Rutgers, who has been a poor program of late, is looking for resurgence by joining the prestigious conference. However, facing a Penn State team that is equipped with possibly the best (true) sophomore quarterback in the country is not a pretty way to start of their season.
The game itself has been drawing up bad blood for the last few months, as Penn State has tore numerous Rutgers’ commits and targets away from the program to come to Penn State. Saquon Barkley and Steven Gonzalez are two to just name a few.
Penn State is the stronger team arguably but Rutgers will be a team that you don’t want to sleep on this year, but in the end Christian Hackenberg is a game changer and should win most games that Penn State and himself are favored to win.
Final Prediction: Penn State 27 – Rutgers 20
Week 4: Penn State Nittany Lions vs UMass Minutemen
Penn State has an “easy” game in week four, possibly their first true “easy” game. UMass, who is coming into their second season in the FBS conference still consists mostly of what would be a D-II football roster. However, first year head Mark Whipple who spent the last 34 years coaching in college football as well as the NFL hopes to turn around the Minutemen’s fortunes.
Penn State shouldn’t have a hard time with UMass and if they do, it should be a little bit of a wake up call to Penn State and the fans.
Final Prediction: Penn State 45 – Minutemen 17
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