Last year, a lot of people thought Penn State could run the table and instead, James Franklin was run right out of town.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Gone is Franklin and in is Matt Campbell plus a multitude of uncertainty. Here’s how some selected media see the season going for the Nittany Lions:
Andy Stine, Altoona Mirror: 10-2. Comment: Your guess is as good as mine right now, but that schedule shouldn’t scare anybody.
Joe Smeltzer, Nittany Sports Now: 9-3. Comment: This is a good team with the talent to win 10 games. With that said, a team going 10-2 with a first-year coach, despite what Curt Cignetti might have you believe, is difficult. I think Penn State will fall just short, and that’s ok.
Kyle Golik, Nittany Sports Now: 8-4. Comment: Could this team finish 10-2 and earn a College Football Playoff berth? Absolutely. The talent is there, particularly with the veteran additions on offense and an experienced roster, but until Penn State proves it can consistently win the biggest games under a new coaching staff, I’m projecting an 8-4 season. The ceiling is high, but the Nittany Lions still have to earn it on the field.
Riley Holsinger, WTAJ: 9-3.
Comment: An announcement is released during this season that Pitt and Penn State will play each other in the near future.
Cory Giger, Lightner Communications: 9-3
Comment: The Penn State Cyclones might not be a great team, but the schedule is easy enough to expect at least 9-3. Anything better would be a strong debut for Matt Campbell. Anything worse, we’ll already begin to hear chirping from concerned PSU fans.
Neil Rudel, Altoona Mirror: 9-3
Comment: I’ve already been reminded about my 12-0 pick of last year. Hey — that wasn’t my fault. It was Franklin’s. With so much new this season, and lack of depth at quarterback, I’ll scale it back to 9-3. Maybe an upset somewhere (USC or at Michigan) but maybe an unexpected loss somewhere, too.
Jarrod Prugar, Altoona Mirror/Nittany Sports Now: 10-2.
Comment: Last year, I joined Neil in believing in the gospel of James Franklin and I was dead wrong. Penn State is under far better leadership now, but with a lot of unknowns in many areas I wouldn’t be shocked with a setback at the Big House or losing one of USC or Washington.
Comment: Last year, I joined Neil in believing in the gospel of James Franklin and I was dead wrong. Penn State is under far better leadership now, but with a lot of unknowns in many areas I wouldn’t be shocked with a setback at the Big House or losing one of USC or Washington.
