Penn State Football: Way-too-early 2020 game-by-game predictions

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA - OCTOBER 19: Sean Clifford #14 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates after the game against the Michigan Wolverines on October 19, 2019 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. Penn State defeats Michigan 28-21. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – NOVEMBER 29: Hendon Hooker #2 of the Virginia Tech Hokies warms up before the start of a game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Scott Stadium on November 29, 2019 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /

Kent State finished in second place in the MAC East a season ago, but they didn’t have the most impressive season with a 7-6 record.

The Golden Flashes have some talent and are a bowl-capable team, but they just don’t have the firepower to stick with a team like Penn State on their own field. The Nittany Lions will win this one easily and start the season on a strong note.

Final Score: Kent State 9, Penn State 42 (1-0)

At one point in 2019, it seemed like Justin Fuente was on the hot seat and nothing was going to fix it, but a nice stretch to end the season quieted critics. He found his quarterback in Hendon Hooker who passed for over 1,500 yards and 13 touchdowns with a 61 percent completion rate and will be back for his junior year.

Will that be enough to pull off an upset in a monster Week 2 battle in Blacksburg? It very well could be, but Sean Clifford is also back and the Penn State offense is looking scary for 2020.

Penn State wins a tight one.

Final Score: Penn State 31, Virginia Tech 27 (2-0)

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