Penn State Football: Game-by-game predictions for 2018
2. Pittsburgh, September 8, Pittsburgh, PA
This is the third consecutive season that Pitt and Penn State will play, and the series will end next season in Happy Valley. Pitt won the game in 2016 in Pittsburgh, and Penn State won the game last year at home.
The loss early in the season kept Penn State out of the playoff in 2016, so avoiding a loss early in the season is very important for Penn State this year. This game should be easier to win in 2018 than it was two years ago.
Pitt does not return either quarterback that saw the majority of the snaps last season, and they will have true sophomore Kenny Pickett as their starter. Pickett will have some help in the backfield with senior running back Darrin Hall returning after leading the team in rushing last season with 628 rushing yards and nine touchdowns.
Pitt only went 5-7 last season, but they did have an impressive win against Miami to finish the season. They could upset Penn State again, but the Nittany Lions should be prepared and pull away in the second half to win comfortably.