Penn State Predictions Part 3: Games 9-12

After predicting the first eight games of the season in our first two Penn State season predictions; part one and part two , the Nittany Lions roll into the final four games of their season boasting a 6-2 record with losses to Michigan and Ohio State.

Week 11: at Indiana Hoosiers

In Week 11, the Nittany Lions travel back to Bloomington, IN for the second season in a row to take on the Indiana Hoosiers. Last season, in the first time in the program’s history, Penn State lost to Indiana with a 44-24 defeat which was the Nittany Lions second worst lost of the season, only following their loss to Ohio State. Hackenberg and company however will be looking for revenge this season but will not have any easier time doing so. Junior quarterback Nate Sudfield returns to the Hoosiers as their starter following the transfer of Tre Robertson. Last year against Penn State, Sudfield completed 60 percent of his passes for 321 yards and two touchdowns.

The Hoosiers defense will be the biggest question coming into the game after allowing 38.8 points per game last season which was the worst in the Big Ten. Since 2008, the program’s defense has surrendered the second most points in FBS. Switching to a 3-4 defense this season will help to bring change as their experienced line of Bobby Richardson, Ralph Green and Darius Latham will all be difference makers on defense. With Brian Knorr as the new defensive coordinator there has been a lot of speculation of improvement but that is yet to be seen.

Indiana always plays Penn State hard despite what history says with Indiana being 1-16 all time against Penn State. When it comes down to it, Penn State’s offensive linemen will be heavily tested by the Indiana defensive line. Penn State offensively has the better talent despite the offensive line and will have big impacts made by freshmen. The Hoosiers however were able to put the 17th most points on average in college football last season, which will test Penn State’s 24th ranked total defense. With starting wide receivers Cody Latimer (Indiana) and Allen Robinson (PSU) gone, both teams secondaries should be slightly spared.

Penn State will definitely have a handful when they travel to Indiana, however a determined Christian Hackenberg and company will be looking for revenge following last season’s rout. This game will most likely come a head in a tight matchup. Final Score: Penn State 37 – Indiana 31

Week 12: vs. Temple Owls

In Week 12, the Nittany Lions return home to take on instate rival Temple. If Penn State was going to have a cake walk this season, Temple may be that team. Penn State’s offense will be too much for the Temple defense which gave up 29 points per game last season. Talented sophomore P.J. Walker returns for the Owls offense who put up around 24 points per game last season.  Last season, the Owls went 2-10. The matchup will be the first time Penn State takes on the Owls since 2012 when the Nittany Lions won 24-13. All-time Penn State has dominated the rivalry winning 38 of 42 matchups.

Offensively, Penn State has the better offense with higher talent all around especially at the quarterback and wide receiver talent. Defensively, Penn State has the edge despite improvement by the Owls on the defensive side of the ball.

Penn State should have a cake walk against Temple, and don’t be surprised to see Christian Hackenberg leave the game before the fourth quarter if up big. Final Score: Penn State 35 – Temple 13

Week 13: at Illinois Fighting Illini

In Week 13, the Nittany Lions go back on the road for a week to face the Fighting Illini for the 22nd time in program history. Last season, Penn State defeated Illinois 24-17 in overtime.

Now, with James Franklin under helm at Penn State, the Illini who are led by quarterback Wes Lunt will look to upset the Nittany Lions. If the Illini were to win, it would be their first win against Penn State since 2010 losing the last three matchups. Hunt didn’t play in 2013, but did see time in 2012 when he completed 81 of 131 passes for 1,108 yards for six touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Last season, the Illini averaged 29.7 points last season and surrendered an average of 34 points which ranked 106th in the nation. The Illini went 4-8 last season including 1-7 in conference play. Penn State gave up an average of 26.2 points last season while averaging to score 28.7.

Offensively, Penn State has the edge with the nation’s best sophomore quarterback arguably under center, not to forget the numerous targets that Christian Hackenberg has surrounding him. Defensively, Penn State has the edge with a more experienced defensive line and linebacking core. The secondary is shaky for both teams but Penn State has the edge here.

The Illini like last season can prove to be a trap game but Penn State should be able to pull a win out against Illinois without needing overtime this season. Final Score: Penn State 31 – Illinois – 17

Week 14: vs. Michigan State Spartans

In their final game of the season, Penn State comes back home to take on old time rival Michigan State. The two programs haven’t met since 2010 when the then 10th ranked Spartans defeated the Nittany Lions in Happy Valley 28-22. The Spartans are the defending Big Ten champions and are arguably one of the best teams in the country with quarterback Connor Cook leading the Michigan State offense and Shilique Calhoun leading the Spartans defense.

Michigan State’s defense may the best that the Nittany Lions face all season even with the loss of first round pick Darqueze Dennard. When it comes to defense, it’s no contest; Michigan State has the extreme edge. Last season, the Spartans third ranked defense only allowed a mere 13 points per game. They finished their season with two impressive wins over top ranked programs in Ohio State and Stanford. The Spartans defense held opponents to under 10 points in six of 14 games last season and nine under 20 points.

The offensive edge has to be given to the Nittany Lions due to Hackenberg, their experienced backfield and unlimited amount of weapons for him to throw to. The Michigan State offense however should not be messed with as they have one of the best quarterbacks just not in the Big Ten but potentially the country in Connor Cook. Cook will have to prove that he is a top quarterback in the country. This will be a matchup between the two best quarterbacks in the Big Ten, but can Christian Hackenberg and company out duel a potential top 10 defense that only lost to Notre Dame last season?

Penn State will have their hands full in their final game of the season with Michigan State but in football there are no medals for valor. Final Score: Michigan State 27 – Penn State 17

Final Record: 9-3 (6-3)

Penn State, this season will have an easy non-conference schedule as they take on UCF, Akron, UMass, and Temple which they all are predicted to win. Once they get to their conference portion of the season, the Nittany Lions will have a few tough weeks facing Northwestern, Michigan, Ohio State, and Maryland in four straight weeks but will be able to have an easier schedule in three of their final four games before taking on the Michigan State Spartans.

The Nittany Lions still have a lot of questions that need to be answered such as how will the inexperienced offensive line hold up against some of the best pass rushers not just in the Big Ten but the country and how will Christian Hackenberg perform in his second season with the loss of his favorite target. Another question that will have to be answered is will be if the young group of receivers will be able to pick up the slack left from Robinson or will Hackenberg have to favor going to tight end Jesse James for most of the season? Those are just a few of the questions.

This season has the potential to be a great season for the Nittany Lions or a pitiful one. If the offensive line can’t with stand the pressure, the risk of Hackenberg getting hurt will just rise and with that rises the potential for a disaster of a season. Penn State will have to play at their best for most of the season to pull out victories but with one slip they can be looking at a 5-7 or 6-6 season besides a 9-3 season.