It’s time for predictions, and Penn State has two games left in the regular season, and needs to win both to qualify for a bowl game
The first step is tonight against Nebraska at Beaver Stadium.
Penn State is 4-6 with five one-possession losses.
Nebraska is 7-3 with four one-possession wins.
So Penn State is seen as a team better than its record shows. The opposite is true for Nebraska, and that’s why Penn State is favored by more than a touchdown.
But forget Vegas. What does NSN’s staff think will happen in Beaver Stadium Saturday night?
Kyle Golik: This week should take very little motivation from Terry Smith to get the team ready. The seniors want in the worst way to get the win in their final game of Beaver Stadium.
What has this team inspired is the physicality its embraced since the Iowa game. Both Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen will be given ample opportunities to set personal records and achieve team glory. With Nebraska surrendering more than 160 yards on the ground, Penn State inches closer to bowl eligibility and potentially two new program records set in the White Out.
Penn State 34 Nebraska 24
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Austin Bechtold: History will be made on Saturday. Kaytron Allen is 139 yards away from breaking Evan Royster‘s all-time Penn State rushing record. Alan will break the mark and run for more than 150 yards and two touchdowns in a mini whiteout game. The home crowd gets one final chance to send off an accomplished group of seniors. In a battle of backup quarterbacks, the Lions will beat Matt Rhule by double digits and become one game away bowl eligibility.
Penn State 31, Nebraska 17
Jarrod Prugar: This is a must win game for Terry Smith and Penn State. They finally got in the win column with a heavy running attack against Michigan State. The Nittany Lions will need to do the same to beat Nebraska.
Penn State 30, Nebraska 24
Joe Smeltzer: Penn State can run the ball, and Nebraska has a hard time defending the run, ranking in the bottom five in the Big Ten in rushing defense. With that said, Penn State also has a hard time defending the run, ranking 11th of 18 Big Ten teams, and Nebraska has the conference’s leading rusher in Emmett Johnson (1,131 yards).
I’m expecting both featured tailbacks— Johnson and Penn State’s Kaytron Allen— to have a night, and yes, I do expect Allen to break the school’s all-time rushing record.
With both teams playing with backup quarterbacks, I think the difference will be Penn State’s Ethan Grunkemeyer. Grunkemeyer has hit big passes in each of the past two games, and I’m expecting him to hit another one against the Huskers.
PSU 28, Nebraska 21
