Penn State Football: 5 Bold Predictions for Nittany Lions in 2018

4. Home cooking

If the Lions are to achieve their goals of winning a Big Ten title and making their first playoff appearance, they will need to hold serve at home. Let us predict they will win all their home games for the third straight season.

The Lions have not lost at the friendly confines of Beaver Stadium since November 2015, a loss to Michigan. In fact, the Lions are 20-1 in the last three seasons at home. Beaver Stadium is one of the best game day atmospheres in college football. The crowds are loud, especially at night during a White Out, and opponents can be a little intimidated. The Lions have dominated teams during the home winning streak, outscoring opponents 759 to 305.

The Lions will be big favorites in their two nonconference games at home versus Appalachian State and Kent State. The home conference slate includes visits from Ohio State, Michigan State, Iowa, Wisconsin and Maryland. A tough schedule no doubt but with the home crowd behind them the Lions will feed off the energy.

As long as Penn State wins all seven games at home and loses no more than one game on the road, they would have an excellent shot at a playoff spot. An undefeated home slate would tie the longest home winning streak in program history.