Dec. 28, 2019 at noon EST.

That was the last time Penn State faithful were able to see the Nittany Lions run on to a football field to compete in a college football game (Cotton Bowl). With the start of the Big Ten season just one week away it’s time for my annual season schedule breakdown and predictions.

The Nittany Lions are entering the 2020 season with both hype and excitement surrounding their potential – ranked ninth in the AP Top 25 and eighth in the Coaches Poll. There is good reason for the fan’s anticipation as well as I believe this is the most talented Nittany Lions’ team since the 2008 Penn State team that went 11-2 (Big Ten co-champions). The Nittany Lions return a ton of talent from a season ago at key positions on both offense and defense and at the positions where they have lost starters – guys who have played a lot of meaningful football will be stepping in.

With the success the Nittany Lions have had over the past four seasons (42-11), 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 has been repeatedly projected since the program’s magical Big Ten title run in 2016.

So, as I’ve done for the past couple years, I will break down the Nittany Lions’ schedule, giving my opinion on how Penn State will end up in the win/loss column in 2020. Due to COVID-19 delaying the season, the Nittany Lions will only play eight opponents this season – all in conference.

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Oct. 24 – PENN ST. AT INDIANA

Penn State will head to Bloomington to take on the Hoosiers one week from today at 3:30 p.m. EST on FS1. Indiana is coming off an eight-win season and is returning 17 starters, so Penn State will certainly be tested in week one. The Hoosiers have played the Nittany Lions really tough over the past two seasons, with an average margin of victory for Penn State, being just six. If healthy, Indiana quarterback Michael Penix Jr. will cause issues for opposing defenses, but he’s failed to finish each of the last two seasons due to injury. I just think Penn State has a distinct advantage in this one up front on both sides of the ball.

My pick is Penn State 38, Indiana 24.

Oct. 31 – PENN ST. VS. OHIO ST.

Why the Big Ten schedulers decided to put this game so early in the season is anyone’s guess, but it will certainly make for some interesting drama on Halloween night. Rumor is this will be a night game albeit not in the usual white out atmosphere Beaver Stadium usually provides with a game of this magnitude. Ohio State is loaded, but as I said I think the Nittany Lions are loaded as well. Penn State has the talent to beat Ohio State and since its 2016 victory over the Buckeyes, its lost three straight close contests. I think Penn State’s defensive line keeps Justin Fields in the pocket and in check enough for the Nittany Lions to come away with the win.

My pick is Penn State 27, Ohio State 24.

Nov. 7 – PENN ST. VS. MARYLAND

Penn State has outscored the Terrapins 163-6 over the past three seasons and Maryland has not scored a touchdown in any of those games. The Terps were last in the Big Ten in total defense last season and do not have the type of offensive line that can handle Penn State’s speed in the front seven.

My pick is Penn State 48, Maryland 6.

Nov. 14 – PENN ST. AT NEBRASKA

If my schedule predictions come to fruition that will mean that Penn State will be firing on all cylinders, heading into Lincoln. Nebraska hasn’t seen much success as of late, failing to qualify for a bowl game for the third straight season in 2019. Quarterback Adrian Martinez is a dangerous dual-threat signal caller, but I don’t think the Huskers have enough around him yet to pull off the upset.

My pick is Penn State 35, Nebraska 17.

Nov. 21 – PENN ST. VS. IOWA

The Hawkeyes are one of the most consistent winning programs in the Big Ten and year in and year out bring their best when facing Penn State. In their last three matchups, the game has been decided by six points or less, with the Nittany Lions being on the winning end of those narrow contests. Fortunately for Penn State, Iowa will be replacing three-year starting quarterback Nathan Stanley, who has been a big part of their success over the past three seasons. With a first-year starter at quarterback this year for the Hawkeyes, I don’t believe they will have the fire power to hang with the Nittany Lions.

My pick is Penn State 31, Iowa 17.

Nov. 28 – PENN ST. AT MICHIGAN

Over the past four seasons, the home team has won this matchup. This season, with the COVID-19 fan restrictions put in place by the Big Ten, home field advantage isn’t expected to be as beneficial, so that will certainly factor in, especially in a venue the size of the Big House. The Wolverines have playmakers in Nico Collins at wide receiver and Zach Charbonnet and Chris Evans at running back. But Michigan will be replacing Shea Patterson with first-year starter Joe Milton and what is expected to be a shaky offensive line. If Milton and the offensive line have it together by midseason this will be a tough one for Penn State, but the Lion’s experience and talent on both the offensive and defensive line help them win the closely matched games this season.

My pick is Penn State 24, Michigan 21.

Dec. 5 – PENN ST. AT RUTGERS

Rutgers has not been to a bowl game since 2014 and although some energy has been injected into the program with the hiring of Greg Schiano as head coach it will be awhile until the Scarlet Knights can start competing with the top teams in the Big Ten.

Penn State 49, Rutgers 3.

Dec. 12 – PENN ST. VS. MICHIGAN ST.

Mel Tucker takes over for longtime Spartans’ head coach Mark Dantonio. Tucker has impressive credentials, coaching under Jim Tressel, Nick Saban and Kirby smart and had a long tenure as a defensive coach in the NFL and was just formerly the head coach of Colorado before coming over to Michigan State. But Tucker is taking over a team with question marks on both offense and defense. The Spartans will need to replace multiyear starting quarterback Brian LeWerke and all of their top pass catchers. Once again, this is a team I don’t think has the offensive fire power to take down the Nittany Lions.

My pick is Penn State 35, Michigan State 10.

FINAL THOUGHTS

... As you can see I’m very high on this season’s Penn State football team. You won’t see many writers or analysts picking the Nittany Lions to be 8-0 and represent the Big Ten East in the Big Ten Championship on December 19 simply because of the well-deserved hype surrounding Ohio State. But of all the years, I believe this is the year Penn State is the closest talent-wise it has been to the Buckeyes since James Franklin took over the program in 2014. The Nittany Lions have been very close to getting to that next level – the College Football Playoff – and I believe this season they get it done. Penn State’s experience returning at quarterback and on the offensive line along with their speed and length on the defensive side of the ball is going to be tough to overcome for most if not all of its opponents.