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Penn State Football: 5 reasons the Nittany Lions will struggle in 2017

By Andrew Miller

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 02: Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin looks on against the USC Trojans during the 2017 Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 2, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 02: Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin looks on against the USC Trojans during the 2017 Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 2, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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Penn State football has all the tools at their disposal to compete for a spot in the College Football Playoff along with another Big Ten title in 2017.

Penn State is hitting on all cylinders. Head coach James Franklin just got a contract extension after getting the Nittany Lions to the Rose Bowl and winning the Big Ten Championship. Penn State was one drive away from defeating USC.

Receiver and linebacker are two positions Penn State is stacked at. Experience, talent, and depth are the trademarks of the receiving and linebacker corps. Trace McSorley has the benefit of Saeed Blacknall, DaeSean Hamilton, and DeAndre Thompkins as targets.

Saquon Barkley is one of the best players in the country. He is the very best at his position. McSorley and Barkley are the staple of Penn State’s offense. Both can compete for the Heisman Trophy in 2017.

The Big 10 is one of the most difficult conferences this year. Penn State is the second highest-ranked team at No. 6 in the Amway Coaches Poll. The Ohio State Buckeyes are the only Big 10 team ahead of them at No. 2.

Penn State’s toughest non-conference test is Pitt. The Panthers were the first team to defeat Penn State last year. Georgia State and Akron should not be tough games. Pitt will prepare Penn State for a tough Big Ten slate.

Wisconsin is one of the top 10 ranked teams in the Big Ten. Penn State does not have to face them in the regular season. Winning the Big Ten East could mean a repeat match in the Big Ten Championship with the Badgers.

The hardest thing for Penn State could be continuing their success. Since the sanctions hit from the Jerry Sandusky scandal, the Nittany Lions were not the same. Franklin got Penn State back to the top for the first time in eight years.

Now, let’s take a look at five reasons why the Penn State Nittany Lions will struggle in 2017.

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