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Penn State Nittany Lions: Big Ten East
Penn State had one of the worst starts to its Big Ten season in 2020. The Nittany Lions lost five straight games to open the season. James Franklin did turn things around by winning the last four games, but there's work to be done in 2021.
Penn State has a lot of questions that need answering heading into the 2021 season. First, let's look at Penn State's strengths and weaknesses heading into 2021.
2021-2022 Big Ten East Conference preview: Penn State Nittany Lions
Penn State's strengths: The Nittany Lions are entering the 2021 season with the best running back duo in the Big Ten. Noah Cain and John Lovett are going to be the focal points of Penn State's offense. The Nittany Lions don't just have the best running back combo in the Big Ten, but all of college football.
Penn State's weaknesses: Penn State enters the 2021 season with quarterback Sean Clifford maxed out at his ceiling. Clifford has underperformed since becoming the starting quarterback for the Nittany Lions. As a result, Penn State currently has the 88th-ranked quarterback rooms in the country.
Penn State Nittany Lions key players: Offense
WR: Jahan Dotson - Sean Clifford has one of the top wide receivers in the Big Ten in Jahan Dotson. Penn State's offense will run through their backs, but Dotson will play the most significant role in their passing attack. Dotson is coming off a 2020 season where he caught 52 passes for 884 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.
TE: Brenton Strange - Pat Freiermuth has taken his talents to the NFL, and his replacement will be Brenton Strange. Freiermuth has left massive shoes to fill for Strange. The 6-foot-3 tight end will receive his opportunity to shine in 2021 after catching 17 passes for 164 yards and two touchdowns in 2020.
Penn State Nittany Lions key players: Defense
CB: Joey Porter Jr. - Penn State will turn to Joey Porter Jr. to lead the secondary in 2021. Porter, the son of former NFL linebacker Joey Porter Sr., has football genes coursing through his body. Porter Jr. posted 24 solo tackles, two tackles for loss, and one sack in 2020.
DT: Derrick Tangelo - Penn State lost a lot on its front seven with Micah Parsons taking his talents to the NFL. Derrick Tangelo comes over to Penn State through the transfer portal after spending the last four seasons at Duke. Tangelo has registered 59 solo tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks for the Blue Devils defense.
2021-2022 Penn State Nittany Lions schedule
Week 1: Saturday, September 4, at Wisconsin Badgers
Week 2: Saturday, September 11, vs. Ball State Cardinals
Week 3: Saturday, September 18, vs. Auburn Tigers
Week 4: Saturday, September 25, vs. Villanova Wildcats
Week 5: Saturday, October 2, vs. Indiana Hoosiers
Week 6: Saturday, October 9, at Iowas Hawkeyes
Week 7: Saturday, October 23, vs. Illinois Fighting Illini
Week 8: Saturday, October 30, at Ohio State Buckeyes
Week 9: Saturday, November 6, at Maryland Terapins
Week 10: Saturday, November 13, vs. Michigan Wolverines
Week 11: Saturday, November 20, vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Week 12: Saturday, November 27, at Michigan State Spartans
2021-2022 Penn State Nittany Lions Prediction (6-6 overall, 4-5 Big Ten)
Penn State has one challenging non-conference game when the Auburn Tigers travel to Penn State on September 18. The Nittany Lions will struggle against the top teams in the Big Ten East. They also open their 2021 Big Ten season against the most formidable team in the Big Ten West in the Wisconsin Badgers.
