Penn State Football: 5 reasons why Nittany Lions struggle in 2017

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

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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ANN ARBOR, MI – SEPTEMBER 24: Chris Godwin #12 of the Penn State Nittany Lions scores during the fourth quarter of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on September 24, 2016 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan defeated Penn State 49-10. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

2. Michigan and Ohio State in back-to-back weeks

Ideally, Penn State plays their toughest opponents in different months. Instead, they face OSU and Michigan consecutively. Michigan dominated Penn State, handing the Nittany Lions their worst loss of 2016. Penn State should be motivated for revenge.

Ohio State experienced a heartbreaking defeat to the Nittany Lions. A blocked field goal led to Penn State’s victory. J.T. Barrett and Urban Meyer will remember that come the 2017 matchup. Ohio State gets Penn State at home.

If Penn State gets through this stretch unscathed, they’ll be in prime position a College Football Playoff berth. This is make or break for Franklin’s team. They get Michigan at Beaver Stadium on Oct. 21. Penn State travels to Columbus on Oct. 28.

Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State run the Big Ten East. This two week stretch defines the outcome for the Big 10 this year.

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