The college football season is just over one month from kick-off, and training camp is even closer with the first whistle expected to start in the early days of August.
In preparation for the season, the Hoosier is previewing each of Indiana's opponents this season in order. The coverage is part of our expansive preview of the Hoosier's upcoming season under Tom Allen.
Up next is Indiana's week nine opponent, the Penn State Nittany Lions.
OTHER PREVIEWS
Week 1: vs. Ohio State
Week 2: vs. Indiana State
Week 3: vs. Louisville
Week 4: vs. Akron
Week 5: at. Maryland
Week 7: at Michigan
Week 8: vs. Rutgers
SEE ALSO:
Big Ten head coaching tiers entering 2023 season
Predicting the 2023 All-Big Ten defense
GAME INFORMATION
Date: Saturday, October 28th, 2023
Time: TBA
Where: Beaver Stadium, State College, Pennsylvania
TV: TBA
2022 RECAP
The 2022 season for head coach James Franklin's Nittany Lions was exactly what many expected out of the year-in and year-out powerhouse. Penn State finished 11-2, but before being told who the two losses came against, you could probably infer the outcomes.
Michigan and Ohio State, the two teams that seem to have a slight edge up in the Big Ten's pecking order over the Nittany Lions on more occasions than not.
The then-No.5 Wolverines defeated Penn State, 41-17, two weeks before the then-No.2 Buckeyes would defeat the Nittany Lions, 44-31. With both losses coming in October, the Nittany Lions would then close out their campaign with five straight victories, including a Rose Bowl win over Utah to help open the new year.
The Nittany Lions' offense ranked third in total yardage and scoring and was accommodated with a middle-of-the-road defense last season numbers-wise.
Yet, the Nittany Lions haven't been the East division's representative in Indianapolis since 2016, and are just 4-4 in the eight bowl games they've appeared in since Franklin taking over in 2014. At some point, the Nittany Lions have to be primed to break the glass ceiling above them.
RETURNING STARTERS
Offense: 6
Defense: 6
Analysis: The immediate change from last season coming into this one comes at signal caller, where program stalwart Sean Clifford no longer will take the snaps. This season brings about the highly anticipated turn of the reigns over to Drew Allar, one of the premier quarterbacks in the 2022 class.
The electric freshman running back duo of Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen are back this season. Together, they combined for 1,928 yards of rushing and 22 scores on the ground, each playing a role in the passing game as well.
Yet, the two tailbacks are the only skill positions that return as starters this season. Experience reigns on the offensive line, however, as the potent rushing attack the backs ran behind should be ready to repeat similar performances this season.
Defensively, the Nittany Lions make their hay with the linebackers. Fortunate for them, they return nearly all of their top performers from the position a year ago. Absent of Ji'Ayir Brown, nearly all of Franklin's top contributors look to make an impact this season.
PRESEASON PROJECTION
It may sound half-baked, but it's firmly true once again that the Nittany Lions project out to be the Big Ten's third best team this season, falling behind the usuals in Ohio State and Michigan. However, perhaps a new crop of talent on each side of the ball could provide the spark to help topple one of the two and return back to Indianapolis this December.
Offensively, Allar will be the one to watch with a duo of second-year studs on either side of him in the backfield and talented receivers to catch passes from the new QB. According to Rivals, the Nittany Lions' No. 16 overall class should feature some impact hitters, and the season in State College hopes to be a special one for Franklin and company.
Anything less than a New Year's Six bowl appearance would be a disappointment, but surely Penn State is tired of finishing third. We shall see if this year is different.
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