Penn State football is right around the corner. Most media members see Penn State going anywhere from 11-1 to 9-3 this season. Here is how a survey of selected media members see this season shaping up for the Nittany Lions.
Michael Boytim, Altoona Mirror: 9-3. Comment: A record of 10-2 probably gets Penn State into the 12-team playoff, so expect James Franklin’s squad to finish just short of the playoff standard, as usual.
Andrew Clay, WTAJ: 10-2. Comment: It’s probably the safe bet to pick a pair of Penn State losses, but truthfully the schedule is brutal. It’s one of the toughest slates under James Franklin, and 10-2 should be a record they’re proud of, and one that gets them into the CFP.
Scott Franco, Altoona Mirror: 9-3. Comment: They will lose to Ohio State, Wisconsin and to someone they should not lose to, but do, like USC or WVU.
Buck Frank, Altoona Mirror: 9-3. Comment: The middle third of the schedule might be too much for the Nittany Lions to handle this season.
Cory Giger, Lightner Communications: 10-2. Comment: While I have a number of concerns about the Lions on both sides of the ball, this schedule is soft enough to still win 10 games. It won’t always look pretty, but it will be good enough to reach the College Football Playoff.
John Hartsock, Altoona Mirror: 9-3. Comment: The Ohio State hex will continue, and three challenging road games — West Virginia, USC, and Wisconsin — will produce two other losses.
Riley Holsinger, WTAJ: 10-2. Comment: With the expanded CFP, Penn State should be in the mix for a spot. Don’t be surprised though if West Virginia is able to pull off an upset Week 1.
Jarrod Prugar, Altoona Mirror/Nittany Sports Now: 11-1. Comment: Defensively, they might even be better than last year which is saying something. However, I do not see them getting the job done against Ohio State at home this season.
Ryan Risky, WTAJ: 10-2. Comment: Despite not playing Michigan, the schedule gets tougher. Penn State has a brutal three-game stretch (at USC, at Wisconsin, vs. Ohio State) that will define their season.
Neil Rudel, Altoona Mirror: 9-3. Comment: Three new coordinators, a totally uncertain wide receiver situation and a tough road schedule add up to two losses beyond the assumed one to Ohio State. Maybe James Franklin & Co. will prove otherwise.
Dave Shannon, Lightner Communications: 10-2. Comment: This team still needs to show it can win the big one, or two in this case. Talk to me after Nov. 2 (the Ohio State game).
Joe Smeltzer, Nittany Sports Now: 10-2. Comment: Penn State will be favored to win all of its games except Ohio State, but I think USC will give Penn State trouble.
Andy Stine, Altoona Mirror/Nittany Sports Now: 10-2. Comment: There’s too much talent on both sides of the ball to see them being a whole lot worse, but Ohio State and USC will be two enormous challenges.
