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Penn State Football: Can Nittany Lions replace key players in 2018?

By Shane Lunnen

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: (L-R) Grant Haley #15, Nick Scott #4, head coach James Franklin, Marcus Allen #2 and Troy Apke #28 of the Penn State Nittany Lions walk out to field arm in arm before the start of the second half of the Playstation Fiesta Bowl against the Washington Huskies at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Nittany Lions defeated the Huskies 35-28. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: (L-R) Grant Haley #15, Nick Scott #4, head coach James Franklin, Marcus Allen #2 and Troy Apke #28 of the Penn State Nittany Lions walk out to field arm in arm before the start of the second half of the Playstation Fiesta Bowl against the Washington Huskies at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Nittany Lions defeated the Huskies 35-28. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Schedule and predictions

Week         Date                             Opponent

1                 Sat, Sept 1                   Appalachian State

2                 Sat, Sept 8                  @ Pittsburgh

3                 Sat, Sept 15                Kent State

4                 Fri, Sept 21                 @ Illinois

5                 Sat, Sept 29                Ohio State

6                 Sat, Oct 6                     OFF

7                 Sat, Oct 13                  Michigan State

8                 Sat, Oct 20                  @ Indiana

9                 Sat, Oct 27                  Iowa

10               Sat, Nov 3                   @ Michigan

11               Sat, Nov 10                 Wisconsin

12               Sat, Nov 17                 @ Rutgers

13               Sat, Nov 24                 Maryland

Appalachian State is a good opener as the Mountaineers went 9-4 a year ago and won a share of the Sun Belt title. Next up is a trip to rival Pitt for a prime-time clash. The Panthers will be extra hyped for the game but the Lions should take care of business. A visit from Kent State concludes a non conference slate that should see the Lions 3-0.

A rare Friday night game awaits the Lions at Illinois before returning home for the huge clash against Ohio State. If the Lions win against the Buckeyes, it could be a huge boost for the rest of the season and they could put a stranglehold on the East division with a win against Michigan State after the bye week. Lose against the Buckeyes and they will be playing catch up the rest of the way.

The second half of the season features the toughest road trip of the year against Michigan. Ann Arbor has perplexed the Lions throughout the years and they have not won at the Big House since 2009. Facing Iowa and Wisconsin from the West will be difficult, but the schedule eases up for the final two games.

Penn State faces their toughest opponents at home besides Michigan. The Lions have been undefeated at Beaver Stadium the last two seasons, but you have to figure they will be tripped up at least once in front of the home fans this season. The season will really come down to the big four games and it’s tough seeing them winning three of the four. If they do though, the Lions could find themselves in Indianapolis.

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The more likely scenario is they split those games or even lose three of the four. The Lions will still be a good team, but there is just enough loss of personnel to believe they will take a slight step back.

Prediction: 9-3

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