Penn State Football: Best, worst, and most likely scenarios for 2021
By Shane Lunnen
Worst-case scenario
On the other side of the coin, it is also easy to see how the Nittany Lions 2021 season could spiral out of control fast. First and foremost, if Sean Clifford is the 2020 version instead of the 2019 version, the offense will be stuck in neutral.
Just like 2020, Penn State loses its opener on the road in a close game. Then the doubts start to creep into the minds of the players. The following week, Ball State gives Penn State all they have, and the Nittany Lions just barely win by a field goal in overtime.
Auburn comes to State College and silences the White Out crowd with a victory. The Nittany Lions regroup and beat Villanova, but then lose to both Indiana and Iowa.
Homecoming will bring a win against Illinois but the Nittany Lions get trounced the following week in Columbus.
November starts with a close win at Maryland followed by a loss to Michigan in State College. In the final two games, the Nittany Lions eke out victories over Rutgers and Michigan State to barely secure bowl eligibility.
Penn State ends up in a low-tier bowl game and possibly finishes their season under .500 again if they decide to mail in the bowl game. With a mediocre season, Penn State’s 2022 recruiting class starts to reconsider its options. The calls from Nittany Nation for James Franklin to be fired get louder.
Worst case: 6-6, 4-5 Big Ten