Penn State Football: 3 keys to victory in 2019 Cotton Bowl vs. Memphis

STATE COLLEGE, PA - NOVEMBER 30: Tyler Rudolph #21 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates with teammates after recovering a kick against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the second half of the game at Beaver Stadium on November 30, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

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Penn State football takes on Memphis in this year’s Cotton Bowl. Here are three keys to victory for the Nittany Lions over the Tigers.

Penn State was not supposed to be in a New Year’s Six bowl game this season. Most pegged the Lions anywhere between a seven and nine win team. Only some of the die hard fans predicted the Lions winning 10 or more. But here the Lions are at 10-2 and a chance to finish off with 11 wins if they can beat Memphis in the Cotton Bowl.

Memphis had a great season themselves. The Tigers only blemish was a close 30-28 loss at Temple in mid October. They beat top 20 ranked Cincinnati in consecutive weeks to end the season and win the American Athletic conference. At 12-1, it is the best season in school history and the Tigers would love to cap it off with a bowl victory over a top Power Five program.

This will be the first time these two schools have ever met. While Memphis has some key advantages in their arsenal, let us look at the keys for Penn State to bring home a victory back to State College. A win for Penn State would be the second New Year’s Six bowl win for James Franklin and the Nittany Lions in the last four seasons.

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