Penn State is something of an enigma. They have a non-conference schedule to forget, with FCS Idaho, Buffalo, and Pitt all coming to Beaver Stadium for what are likely to be wallopings. They also have a team that will likely lean more heavily on its defense this year than has been required in past seasons for the Nittany Lions.
With Trace McSorley gone and Tommy Stevens in the transfer portal, Penn State looks ready to inaugurate the Sean Clifford era at quarterback. Miles Sanders is also gone, opening the door for Ricky Slade to get his opportunity as the feature back. Ryan Bates is the biggest loss on the offensive line, and the unit has plenty of question marks especially on the right side.
When they don’t have the ball, Penn State will once again lean on a defensive unit that could stand out and hold its own against any in the country. Micah Parsons looks ready to have a breakout season at linebacker, and the Nittany Lions boast a deep group in the secondary. After allowing fewer than three touchdowns per game in 2018, they could be even stingier this year.
The margin of error is razor thin for James Franklin’s team this year, with such an uninspiring non-conference schedule. The Nittany Lions will need Pitt to have another big year in the ACC Coastal and Buffalo to rebound from the loss of Tyree Jackson and Anthony Johnson to contend in the MAC again to bolster their schedule strength. They also avoid both Nebraska and Wisconsin in interdivisional play, but do have to travel to Iowa and Ohio State.