As we begin to move closer to the start of a new college football season in Happy Valley, the staff at Nittnay Lions Wire is spending some time sounding off on some big questions facing the Nittany Lions this fall. Today’s focus is the biggest game in the third and final month of the season, November.
Let us know what you think by responding to us on Twitter or Facebook.
Sam Dehring, Contributor
@sam_dehring68
I would definitely say the most important game for Penn State in November would be the last matchup against Michigan State. Last season, the Nittany Lions were over in East Lansing, where they lost 30-27. Penn State had a few games last year with missed opportunities to win, and Michigan State was one of them. Michigan State will be without Kenneth Walker, but they also gain Wisconsin transfer Jalen Berger and Colorado transfer Jarek Broussard. That duo should probably be talked about more with how much potential they have. If I had to pick an area where Penn State could flourish, it’s their passing game. Michigan State’s secondary struggled quite a bit last season, and with a stronger Nittany Lions offense, Penn State could certainly have a productive passing game.
Last year, Penn State put up 313 total receiving yards, with 137 of those yards going to Jahan Dotson. Their leading tackler was Ji’Ayir Brown, with 10 total tackles and a pass breakup. Penn State has some key holes to fill, with the losses of Arnold Ebiketie and Jaquan Brisker. But the number of returning players should help them, especially guys like Brown and Joey Porter Jr.
Overall though, I would definitely say this Michigan State matchup would be the most important game in November.
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Kevin McGuire, Editor
@KevinOnCFB
The easy answer here is the regular-season finale against Michigan State. The Spartans are coming off a solid season under head coach Mel Tucker and Michigan State came out on top of Penn State in a snowy game in East Lansing last season. And the stakes could potentially be pretty high if things go as I suspect they will this season for the Nittany Lions.
But I’m going in a different direction for this final month of the season. Penn State’s road game at Indiana at the beginning of the month, I feel, is the most important game in November. Penn State heads to Bloomington, Indiana a week after hosting Ohio State. Regardless of what happens against Ohio State, it will be important not to have any missteps at Indiana after the most anticipated game of the year against the Buckeyes.
A win in Indiana should spearhead a solid finish to the season for Penn State, but a loss could lead to watching Penn State come limping across the finish line of the regular season schedule.
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