Penn State Football: 2017 season preview, predictions

Penn State football enters the 2017 season fresh off a Big Ten title, but can the Nittany Lions repeat that feat?

Not many people saw Penn State football breaking out like it did for an 11-win season in 2016, but the Nittany Lions had been brewing for years. In fact, James Franklin took over a Bill O’Brien team that had plenty of talent a few years back and had been recruiting at a high level himself.

People were beginning to wonder whether Franklin would be on the hot seat after a 2-2 start to the 2016 season which included a 49-10 blowout loss to Michigan, but things turned around quickly. In fact, the Nittany Lions went on a tear in Big Ten play, beating up on most teams on the schedule, culminating in an East division title.

Coming out of a division that holds Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State is impressive, especially when the Wolverines and Buckeyes were considered the overwhelming favorites before the season and the Spartans were reigning champs. However, Penn State made it to the title game, beating Wisconsin and making a trip to the Rose Bowl.

There was plenty debate about whether or not the Nittany Lions deserved to make the College Football Playoff, and just missed the final spot. They are hoping to come out on the other end of the playoff race in 2017.

Let’s take a look at the preview and predictions for the Nittany Lions in 2017.