Penn State Football: Way-too-Early Game-by-Game Predictions for 2022
Scouting Report. Northwestern Wildcats. 5. player. Pick Analysis. Oct 1. University Park, PA. 882
For the first game in the month of October, Penn State will host Northwestern. The Wildcats were one of the worst teams in the Big Ten last season after a great 2020 season and they will have to hope for a turnaround in 2022. Head coach Pat Fitzgerald has one of the best cultures in the country at Northwestern and has been able to lead turnarounds before. This is going to be a tough turnaround for Northwestern, however.
It is possible that the Wildcats are going to be the worst team in the Big Ten in 2022. All-American safety Brandon Joseph transferred to Notre Dame and the offense has unresolved issues. Fitzgerald has made magic before when there were low expectations, but this might be a really bad football team next season.
Final Score: Penn State 42, Northwestern 14 (5-0, 2-0)
Michigan Wolverines. 6. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Oct 15. Ann Arbor, MI. player. 811
Penn State will have a bye week after dismantling Northwestern and that will give them time to get ready for their most difficult stretch of the season. This is going to define whether Penn State is a contender in the Big Ten or not. First up is a trip to Ann Arbor to take on the defending Big Ten champions. Michigan has had quite the offseason as well. Jim Harbaugh flirted with going back to the NFL, defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald left for the Baltimore Ravens, and offensive coordinator Josh Gattis took the same position at Miami.
This is going to be a different-looking Wolverines team this season. Despite that, Michigan is not going to be a bad football team in 2022. They might not repeat as Big Ten champions, but the Wolverines will get a home win over Penn State.
Final Score: Penn State 28, Michigan 31 (5-1, 2-1)