2009-10 Penn State Nittany Lions Football Predictions: 8-4 (4-4 in Big Ten)

This football prediction will probably shock a lot of folks, as many feel they are the team to beat in the Big Ten. True, they do return QB Daryll Clark and RB Evan Royster. However, the offense will have to replace its top three receivers from last year.

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The Nittany Lions open the season with three cupcakes but then it gets much tougher during conference play as they must face Iowa and then travel to Illinois. I just do not believe that they will win both of these games. The second half of the conference schedule is very difficult as well with road games at Michigan, Northwestern, and Michigan State.

The real question will be how their young players respond, as they return only nine total starters on offense/defense. If my prediction is correct, the conference has gotten better then the last couple of years with middle-of-the-pack teams improving and it would not surprise me if Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, and Michigan State pass them in the standings.

Strengths: With a young team it’s always nice to have a couple of easy games to open the season and of Penn State’s first seven games, six of them take place at Beaver Stadium. The offense has talent, especially at the skill positions, and Linebacker U is once against deep and should challenge as one of the best in the country.

Weakness: As previously mentioned, the receiving corps is real young and lacks experience. The same can also be said about the defensive backs and this is a concern when playing against a strong passing attack. They must also replace kicker Kevin Kelly, who made 20-of-24 field goals last season.

Favorable line to play: Syracuse at Penn State (Sept. 12). This will be a big spread but I cannot see the Orange improving much from the 2008 squad. Syracuse will likely be coming off a home loss to Minnesota and going into this stadium with an unproven QB in Greg Paulus and that should spell trouble. This looks to me like a good old fashion beating.

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Favorable line to play against: Temple at Penn State (Sept. 19). Looking to get a boatload of points in this game, as Temple was a 28-point underdog in 2008. Penn State will likely be coming off two big blowouts and Temple will enter this game off of a bye. The Owls return 15 starters from 2008 and that team lost three games on the final play. Five coaches for Temple have worked under Paterno and while I cannot see a monumental upset, I look for a big effort and a much closer game then what the experts think.