Penn State Football: Is 2020 the year for the Nittany Lions?

How will Penn State football fare in 2020?

Predictions based on the current eight-game schedule announced on Sept. 19.

• Game 1: at Indiana (W) – The Nittany Lions come out firing on all cylinders and open 2020 with a big win.
• Game 2: vs. Ohio State (L) – Not your usual White Out game, and if it was, they’d probably win, but the Buckeyes hand Penn State another heartbreaking loss.
• Game 3: vs. Maryland (W) – Penn State avoids disaster as Journey Brown has a career game as Penn State gets above .500.
• Game 4: at Nebraska (W) – Penn State makes the Cornhuskers wish they were not as vocal on playing in 2020.
• Game 5: vs. Iowa (W) – Penn State has won the last six meetings versus the Hawkeyes. Make it seven.
• Game 6: at Michigan (W) – The Nittany Lions have not won in Ann Arbor since 2009 but that ends in 2020 as Penn State defeats the Wolverines.
• Game 7: at Rutgers (W) – Blowout. Enough said.
• Game 8: vs. Michigan State (W) – The best way to send out these seniors who were uncertain if they’d ever play again is with a win and that’s exactly what the Nittany Lions do.
• Dec. 19: Big Ten Championship (Indianapolis, Ind.)

Prediction: 7-1, 2nd in Big Ten East

Before COVID-19 came in and almost prevented the Big Ten from having a season, many, including myself, thought that if Penn State could go through the season with just one loss, to Ohio State, that it could still make the College Football Playoff despite not winning the league title.

Unfortunately, one loss this season will most likely prevent them from falling just short of making the playoff once again.

Regardless, Penn State is still going to be one of the most dominant teams on both sides of the ball in 2020 and will provide their fans with plenty of things to discuss heading into next season. But if the Nittany Lions can get past the Buckeyes, their chance at the playoff is theirs to lose. I guess we’ll find out come Halloween night.