Penn State Football: 5 bold predictions for September 2018

Penn State’s football September schedule for the most part should be a breeze. But what all could we see from the Nittany Lions in the first month?

The Penn State Nittany Lions start off the 2018 campaign the same way they have the past three seasons: three non-conference games, including a Week 2 matchup against in-state rival, the Pittsburgh Panthers.

In the midst these three non-conference games, Penn State kicks off its conference schedule with a Friday night game at Illinois and with its annual White Out Game, taking on Ohio State.

For the Nittany Lions, they have fallen just short of the College Football Playoff the past two seasons. A slow start, but late surge in 2016 saw them as the Big Ten champions but looking on the outside of the final four. And in 2017, two back-to-back losses by a combined four points, left them short of both a Big Ten title and a playoff berth.

So for this season, Penn State should have the winning formula. Start strong, finish strong and be able to close out their opponents in tightly contested games. And for the month of September, they have a chance to show the college football world if they have what it takes to contend for a playoff berth.

A perfect start could be in the mix for the Nittany Lions, but let’s take a look at what could get them there.