Penn State’s new offensive coordinator
For the 2021 season, the Penn State offense will feature a new play-caller in Mike Yurcich. He is the third offensive coordinator in three years for James Franklin, which can lead to some instability with any offense at the start of a season. From what the players have been saying about the impact that Mike Yurcich has had so far, this year the offense could take a big jump.
The depth of running backs
The Nittany Lions will have a lot to say on the ground this year as they have a very deep group of running backs lead by Noah Cain, who is coming back from injury. Penn State also has an experienced upperclassman in John Lovett who is a transfer from Baylor, a potential rising star Keyvone Lee, Caziah Holmes, and Devyn Ford who all got some valuable experience during 2020. Penn State is the only school in the nation with three Doak walker Award watch list players with Cain, Lovett, and Lee.
Winning on the road for tiebreakers
Winning games on the road is hard, but this one could be pretty important down the road if Penn State wants to have Big Ten title and College Football Playoff aspirations this season. Anytime to get a win on the road is huge and you know that you can go into a hostile environment. Penn State will play in front of a full stadium for the first time in two seasons with Wisconsin’s Camp Randall Stadium amped up for the return of their beloved Badgers. Penn State won their last trip to Camp Randall Stadium in 2013.