Area football fans got their first taste of “fall madness” Friday night as high school teams from across the state kicked off the season.

The start of high school football always creates excitement throughout the area. It also means that the start of college football is just around the corner. One week from today, Penn State will take the field at Beaver Stadium to open up its season against Idaho (3:30 p.m. BTN).

Expectations are lofty yet again for the Nittany Lions as they come into the season ranked No. 15 in the country. An experienced and talented defense with elite speed at every position will be counted on early as the Penn State offense breaks in a new quarterback (Sean Clifford/Will Levis) and a few new offensive linemen.

Still, with the success the Nittany Lions have had over the past three seasons (31-9), contending for a Big Ten East title is what is expected and of course competing for the program’s first ever berth into the College Football Playoff.

As I’ve done for the past couple years, I will break down the Penn State schedule, giving my opinion on how the Nittany Lions will end up in the win/loss column in 2019.

8/31 - PENN STATE VS. IDAHO

Idaho moved from FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) competition to FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) last season and not surprisingly the Vandals struggled, finishing with a 4-7 record. Idaho was also towards the bottom of the barrel defensively in the country in FCS, giving up almost 38 points per game. Penn State will role in its home opener. My pick is Penn State 56, Idaho 3. (1-0)

9/7 - PENN STATE VS. BUFFALO

Buffalo did win 10 games last season and won the MAC East, but this is a totally different team. Heralded quarterback Tyree Jackson is now on the Buffalo Bills and the Bulls lost a ton of talent to the transfer portal and graduation. Chalk this one up for the Nittany Lions again in big fashion. My pick is Penn State 43, Buffalo 10. (2-0)

9/14/ - PENN STATE VS. PITTSBURGH

The Panthers like to run the football and they must replace two 1,000-yard rushers from a season ago. I don’t believe quarterback Kenny Pickett is well enough equipped to make up for the inexperience at running back for the Panthers. Penn State’s defense is going to get after teams this season with its speed in the front seven. I just think the Nittany Lions are the more talented squad. My pick is Penn State 38, Pitt 13. (3-0)

9/27 - PENN STATE AT MARYLAND

Maryland is going to pull out all the stops for the Friday night match-up in College Park. I still think there will be a good showing from Penn State fans, but it will be interesting early on, being that it’s the Nittany Lions first road game of the season. The Terrapins have athletes, especially at running back with Anthony McFarland, who rushed for over 1,000 yards a year ago. But the Penn State defense is even better this season and stifled the Terps last season, with them only scoring three points in a 38-3 win by PSU. The Nittany Lions will have to really focus on not giving up the big play, but I think they have too much firepower on both sides of the ball. My pick is Penn State 34, Maryland 14 (4-0)

10/5 - PENN STATE VS. PURDUE

Stop Rondale Moore, which isn’t an easy task with the true freshman racking up 2,215 all-purpose yards in 2018. The good news is Penn State has the athletes and the speed on defense to contain a player like Moore. Also, the Boilermakers have question marks on the offensive line and at quarterback after the graduation of David Blough. Add that all together and then further add that this game is at Beaver Stadium. My pick is Penn State 31, Purdue 13. (5-0)

10/12 - PENN STATE AT IOWA

In my opinion this is the most important game on the Nittany Lions schedule simply because it has the potential to either catapult them into the Big Ten East title race or make the trek to Indianapolis substantially more difficult. A road game at Iowa is never an easy atmosphere to play in, but Penn State has actually been successful there in recent years, winning its last two in Iowa City and the last five overall against the Hawkeyes. Nate Stanley returns at quarterback, but he lost his top two targets in tight ends Noah Fant and TJ Hockenson, who were both first round picks. Superstar defensive end A.J. Epenesa returns, but Iowa lost all of its other star power up front, and also lost a dynamic defensive back in Amani Hooker, who was the Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year in 2018. I think the Hawkeyes have just lost too many top players and once again I think PSU is just simply the more talented team in this one. My pick is Penn State 28, Iowa 21. (6-0)

10/19 - PENN STATE VS. MICHIGAN

I think pundits are drastically underrating the losses that Michigan has suffered on the defensive end. Rashan Gary, Chase Winovich and especially linebacker Devin Bush Jr. were the heart and soul of the Michigan defense last season and they will not be easily replaced. I also expect at this time for the Penn State offense to be playing well. Do not sleep on the Penn State offense, yes, they must break in a new quarterback and a new left tackle (Rasheed Walker), but those players are talented and there is certainly no shortage of weapons at running back, tight end and wide receiver on the PSU offense. If the offensive line clicks, this will be a dangerous unit. The Michigan offense will be improved, but I think the Penn State defensive line overpowers the Michigan offensive line. Add in that this is a “White Out” and I think PSU gets the “W.” My pick is Penn State 24, Michigan 14. (7-0)

10/26 - PENN STATE AT MICHIGAN STATE

Michigan State has won 5-out-of-6 against Penn State with two wins in the last two years when Penn State was the better squad. This is going to be a great game at a pivotal point in the season. The Spartans defense will be one of the best in the country with elite Defensive end Kenny Willekes returning as well as a host of talented defensive tackles in the middle. Middle linebacker and first team Big Ten selection Joe Bachie also returns. But I think the key here is Penn State’s pass rush against a suspect Spartans offensive line and inconsistent quarterback in Brian Lewerke. I think the Nittany Lions will get to Lewerke and MSU doesn’t have a game-breaking running back to offset Penn State’s pass rush. It will be close, but I got the Nittany Lions getting redemption in East Lansing this season. My pick is Penn State 27, Michigan State 21. (8-0)

11/9 - PENN STATE AT MINNESOTA

A bye week in between East Lansing and Minneapolis will be key for Penn State and will probably thwart any late-season let down possibilities. Still, Minnesota has a nice receiving group and it always boasts a big, strong offensive line, but I just don’t think it has the talent at quarterback to come up with the upset. My pick is Penn State 34, Minnesota 17. (9-0)

11/16 - PENN STATE VS. INDIANA

Indiana has had issues at the quarterback position over the past couple seasons and it looks to be a three-person battle for that spot this season. Also, the Hoosiers have struggled on the offensive line and defensive line over the past few seasons as well. The Hoosiers have a good running back in Stevie Scott, who rushed for over 1,100 yards last season, but Indiana only returns two starters from the offensive line from a season ago. The IU defense gave up over 420 yards per game last season. My pick is Penn State 41, Indiana 17. (10-0)

11/23 - PENN STATE AT OHIO STATE

Ohio State just simply reloads every season and boasts a stacked defensive front with explosive players in its secondary as its top strengths heading into 2019. The problem with playing the Buckeyes so late is that their offense will almost certainly be clicking in first year head coach Ryan Day’s system by this point in the season with new signal caller in the highly-touted Justin Fields, who transferred from Florida and was granted immediate eligibility by the NCAA. Penn State’s chances in this one come down to this; 1) Get pressure on Fields, which is possible, because OSU has questions on the offensive line. 2) If PSU is able to get a lead it needs to keep it. Two collapses in the last two years with the lead have led to back-to-back one-point losses to the Buckeyes. My pick is Ohio State 27, Penn State 24. (10-1)

11/30 - PENN STATE VS. RUTGERS

Rutgers is 3-24 the last three seasons in Big Ten play and the Nittany Lions will not be too happy after another close loss to the Buckeyes the week prior. My pick is Penn State 49, Rutgers 10. (11-1)

FINAL THOUGHTS

I’m sure I will take a lot of heat for picking the Nittany Lions to finish 11-1 this season, but I did predict Penn State would finish 10-2 in 2016 and I was pretty much alone there as well. I just like the talent on this season’s team and I think the defense will be one of the best in the Big Ten and a top 10 defense in the country. Penn State’s pass rush is going to be very dangerous.

Once again, it all comes down to the offensive line. Sean Clifford, who will be the starting quarterback in my opinion against Idaho in week one is more than capable of spreading the ball around to the host of weapons that are at his disposal. If the offensive line, which is talented can hold up and give Clifford time and also wear down opposing defenses as the game goes on, 11-1 is not out of the Nittany Lion’s grasp.

You can email me at bhurley@tnonline.com to give me your predictions on how Penn State will finish in 2019.