2022 Penn State Football Preview

Nittany Lions Wire preseason predictions: Predicting the Big Ten in 2022

Our staff shares our Big Ten division standings, conference championship, and MVP picks for the 2022 season.

While many around here may be expecting better results from Penn State in 2022, there seems to be a familiar theme when it comes to who will come out on top of the Big Ten. After missing out on the Big Ten championship last season, the Ohio State Buckeyes are entering the 2022 season as a popular favorite to come out on top of the Big Ten. And our staff certainly agrees.

Below you will find our staff predictions for each Big Ten division, the Big Ten championship, and our pick for MVP of the conference in 2022. And as is typically the case when it comes to predicting the Big Ten over the past decade, Ohio State is feeling comfortable atop the predictions.

Nittany Lions Wire preseason predictions: Penn State’s defensive MVP

Our staff predictions for 2022 highlight our preseason MVP picks for Penn State’s offense.

Penn State is looking to have another strong season on defense this season, and our staff at Nittany Lions Wire sees another good outing from the secondary. The defensive secondary was arguably the best unit on the entire roster in 2021, and 2022 looks to be following up quite admirably with the players coming back.

Our staff focused on the secondary’s leading stars when it came to putting our picks for defensive MVP on the books. And, perhaps, this was an easy pick to make given Joey Porter Jr. and Ji’Ayir Brown are each returning this season. Not surprisingly, these two were at the top of the list for our defensive MVP predictions for the Nittany Lions in 2022.

Of course, it should be mentioned Penn State has some key players at other positions, including PJ Mustipher on the defensive line. But given the way the game is played today and how important the passing game is for offenses in the sport, having some big-time playmakers in the secondary could be immensely valuable.

Here are our picks for Penn State’s defensive MVP this season. For our offensive MVP picks, click here.

Defensive MVP

Sam Dehring, Contributor
@sam_dehring68

Prediction: Ji’Ayir Brown, safety

Now the easy one here would be Joey Porter Jr., rightfully so. However, I’m going with Ji’Ayir Brown here. He has an immense opportunity to raise his draft stock, very likely into being a potential second-round pick. He made an impressive leap in 2021.

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Andrew Harbaugh, Contributor
@MandrewNFL

Prediction: Ji’Ayir Brown, safety

New defensive coordinator Manny Diaz has raved about Brown all offseason, I have every bit to believe that he can make a difference from day one. Diaz always gameplans his safeties to be playmakers so expect a big breakout from Ji’Ayir Brown this year in my opinion.

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Kevin McGuire, Editor
@KevinOnCFB

Prediction: Joey Porter Jr., cornerback

I’ll take the easy layup here and go with the best defensive player on the roster. Joey Porter Jr. returning to the defense is a big win for the Nittany Lions this fall, and I think he will make some key plays against some of the best receivers Penn State will face this season. Ji’Ayir Brown may have more interceptions, but I think Porter’s impact will be tough to match overall.

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Nittany Lions Wire preseason predictions: Penn State’s offensive MVP

Our staff predictions for 2022 highlight our preseason MVP picks for Penn State’s offense.

As the start of a new Penn State football season inches up on us, our staff has gone on the record to share our picks for this season’s offensive and defensive MVPs. While there is some consensus opinion on the defensive side of the football, we each came up with a different pick on offense.

Perhaps that is telling on how we are evaluating and projecting this season to go for the Nittany Lions. There is some good talent and potential across the offensive roster, but much of the success may rely on the supporting cast up front on the line of scrimmage. But if there is one thing to take away from our offensive MVP predictions, it is that we all seem to think this could be a fun year for the passing game.

Here is a look at our offensive MVP picks for this season in Happy Valley. For our defensive MVP picks, click here.

Offensive MVP

Sam Dehring, Contributor
@sam_dehring68

Prediction: Parker Washington, wide receiver

I think Penn State’s offensive MVP will be Parker Washington. He has shown that he has the talent to be Penn State’s WR1 and help elevate that offense.

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Andrew Harbaugh, Contributor
@MandrewNFL

Prediction: Mitchell Tinsley, wide receiver

Is he going to be second fiddle to Parker Washington but he is going to benefit the most from him being on the opposite side of him. Together they avoid double teams but Tinsley’s play style is what will make him the MVP. He has a chance to turn this team into a true passing attack that can thrive in the Big Ten.

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Kevin McGuire, Editor
@KevinOnCFB

Prediction: Sean Clifford, quarterback

I really like some of the assets Sean Clifford has around him this season, especially at the receiver position. The running back situation is also worth recognizing but Clifford’s success will ultimately rely on how much the offensive line helps him out. I expect better results up front this season and I believe Clifford will thrive in a second year with Mike Yurcich.

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Nittany Lions Wire Roundtable: Biggest game in November

Penn State’s November schedule may not look tricky at first, but our staff discusses the biggest challenge facing the Nittany Lions.

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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Game-by-game predictions for Penn State football in 2022

It’s time to go on the record with some game-by-game predictions for 2022.

The start of a brand new college football season is quickly approaching, so it is time to officially go on the record with some game-by-game predictions. We’ll be sharing our official staff predictions for Penn State’s upcoming season soon, but I am officially on the record already, so I’ll show my cards to you now.

I took part in providing my game-by-game predictions for Penn State’s 2022 season with the folks over at Athlon Sports this week. It turns out my predicted record was spot-on with the two other experts sharing their opinions for Athlon Sports. The three of us combined for identical 9-3 record predictions for Penn State this fall, although we arrived at those predictions in slightly different ways.

You can see the full post over at Athlon Sports, but here are my game-by-game predictions for Penn State’s 2022 season and a quick thought or two about my prediction.

Nittany Lions Wire Roundtable: Biggest game in September

Purdue or Auburn? Our staff weighs in on which September game is the most important for Penn State.

This question boils down to two distinct options, with both being a road game. Penn State opens the season on Thursday, Sept. 1 at Purdue and will play at Auburn in a return trip of a home-and-home deal in Week 3. Penn State also plays home games against Central Michigan and Ohio in September.

Here is what our staff had to say about the biggest game in September, but feel free to share with us your thoughts on Twitter or Facebook.

Sam Dehring, Contributor
@sam_dehring68

September should be a fairly easy set of games for Penn State. If I had to pick a game that would be most important game for the first month, I would have to say Auburn.

It’s fairly close between Auburn and their season opener against Purdue. Though I’m not very high at all on Auburn this year, I think the fact that they’re playing that game on the road will make it tough.

Last year, Penn State took down Auburn 28-20 in the white-out game. Clifford went 28/32 with 280 yards, a touchdown, and an interception all while putting up an 89.9 quarterback rating. However, that game was much from their defensive success.

Overall, for the Nittany Lions to beat Auburn again this season, they are going to need consistency on both sides of the ball.

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Kevin McGuire, Editor
@KevinOnCFB

As much as I am looking forward to seeing Penn State play at Aubrun, the bigger game has to be the season opener on the road against a conference opponent. And not just any Big Ten opponent, but one that plays tough at home and knocked off a couple of highly-ranked opponents last fall.

Purdue is not the ideal opponent to play on the road to start the season, so Penn State will absolutely be put to the test right out of the gates of the season. For the third straight season, Penn State is opening the season on the road against a conference opponent, and this one won’t be easy either.

The value of a conference win is much higher than a road win against Auburn. A win at Auburn may draw more attention, but starting the season off with a Big Ten win in a year that Penn State hopes to move back up the Big Ten standings cannot be oversold to me. If Penn State is only going to win one of these games, it has to be the Purdue game to start the season.

But winning both would be great too.

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2022 Penn State football: Nittany Lions’ safety preview

Ji’Ayir Brown’s return highlights the safety position overview for Penn State in 2022. Position overview…

Penn State is prepping for a season in which the program hopes to redeem itself on the national stage. After back-to-back seasons of mediocre results, Penn State is aiming to bounce back and prove themselves worthy of being in the Big Ten championship hunt, if not a little bit more.

Penn State kicks off the 2022 season with a Thursday night primetime matchup at Purdue on September 1. And for the second straight year, the depth and quality of the defensive secondary appears to be a strength for Penn State. The safety position loses a big-time player in Jaquan Brisker but the return of Ji’Ayir Brown coming off his breakout season is a big plus for the defense this fall.

Here is a look at the safeties on the roster for Penn State coming into the 2022 season.

2022 Penn State football: Nittany Lions’ linebacker preview

Penn State position overview: Linebacker roster overview for 2022

Penn State kicks off the 2022 season with a Thursday night primetime matchup at Purdue on September 1. When that season begins, the Nittany Lions will begin to answer whether or not the linebacker depth is truly a concern for the upcoming year. After losing a pair of starters from last year’s team, Penn State has some big spots to fill at the program’s signature position.

Here is a look at what Penn State has on the roster at the linebacker position going into the 2022 season.

Nittany Lions Wire Roundtable: Reasons for concern in 2022

Roundtable: What is Penn State’s biggest reasons for concern in 2022?

We took a look at our reasons for optimism in our last roundtable, so we are flipping to the other side of this conversation to see what has us most alarmed going into the 2022 season.

Sam Dehring, Contributor
@sam_dehring68

I feel like many are going to have the same answer for this one. Sean Clifford. If you want to go elsewhere, I do think their offensive line has a lot to prove going into the 2022 season. However, Clifford struggled a lot last season. One thing I always liked about him is his athleticism and his ability to extend plays down the field. But it’s his decision-making that has been inconsistent for Penn State.

Last season, Clifford had Jahan Dotson and others that I liked how much he would get them involved in their offense. This year, he will have Parker Washington, Western Kentucky wide receiver transfer Mitchell Tinsley, KeAndre Lambert-Smith, two tight ends that should probably be getting more attention in the college football world in Brenton Strange and Theo Johnson and an intriguing running back room, headlined by Keyvone Lee and freshman Nicholas Singleton.

Overall, that’s one of the best offenses Clifford will have in a while. There are some goods to Clifford’s game, and when he is consistent, the offense is moving.

There were a few games last season where the Nittany Lions were so reliant on their defense because couldn’t move the ball efficiently down the field. If Penn State can play every 2022 game consistently on both sides of that ball, especially with an intriguing offense, it will be an interesting season. And that all starts with Clifford. If that doesn’t happen, it’s going to be a long season for the Nittany Lions in 2022.

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Andrew Harbaugh, Contributor
@MandrewNFL

I hate to be this blunt but, the answer is Sean Clifford. Even Franklin D. Roosevelt grew out of favor after three terms, Clifford is entering his sixth year at Penn State and it is holding this offense back. I sincerely hope we get to see Drew Allar early and they rely on Nick Singleton and Keyvonne Lee. Otherwise, this is just a wasted year all around for the Nittany Lions.

Kevin McGuire, Editor
@KevinOnCFB

There will be plenty of attention on the quarterback position this season, but for me, the biggest concern is still the protection provided to him up front. The offensive line was the catalyst for many of the offensive inconsistencies last season with a lack of a running game and Sean Clifford constantly being under pressure.

Penn State does have some interesting players to watch on the offensive line in 2022, including transfer Hunter Nourzad and the rising Juice Scruggs, but this is clearly a unit that has the most room for improvement in the fall, and it is one that has to earn respect more than any other position group on the field.

I’m cautious on the offensive line even more so after James Franklin’s media day comments suggesting he is not going to vocally pump them up as he has in the past. Instead, Franklin is going to let the players let their play do the talking for them. And that is a concern for me. Perhaps it’s just a new way of approaching the coaching of the position from the head coach, or maybe it’s a sign he isn’t quite convinced himself that this year will be better.

Whatever the case may be, if the offensive line struggles, the entire offense will suffer, especially against better opponents.

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Nittany Lions Wire Roundtable: Reasons for optimism in 2022

Nittany Lions Wire Roundtable: Our reasons for optimism about Penn State football in 2022

It can be difficult to remain too optimistic about a program that has floated at .500 over the past two seasons, but our staff has come together to share our reasons for being optimistic about the upcoming season in Happy Valley. Feel free to share with us your reasons for optimism in the comment section or with us on Twitter.

Sam Dehring, Contributor
@sam_dehring68

I would say the biggest reason to be optimistic about this team this year is the amount of offensive talent and defensive returning players. Sure, the edge rusher position is hurting with the losses of Arnold Ebiketie and Jessie Luketa. However, their secondary will be led by Ji’Ayir Brown, Joey Porter Jr., Keaton Ellis and a defensive line group with plenty of potential. As for their offense, if Clifford can be on his game, the rest of the offense will move. The biggest talk of the Big Ten tight ends seems to be Iowa’s Sam LaPorta. However, let’s not forget that Penn State has not one but two productive tight ends on their offense. Both have improved each year they have been with the Nittany Lions, and one of them could be poised for a breakout season.

Now to their running back room. Penn State lost Noah Cain, who transferred to LSU. However, they do still have Keyvone Lee, who showed a lot of flashes last season. The name everyone is excited about is freshman running back Nicholas Singleton, who was a high school sensation. The Lee/Singleton duo is very intriguing, but they will need help up front, which is where we head to next.

The offensive line has a lot prove this year after coming off a struggling 2021 season. They will be without Rasheed Walker, who is now a Green Bay Packer, but the rest all have the experience. One name that I’m really excited to see is Juice Scruggs. I think he has the chance to put himself on the map even more. With Walker gone, it’s Scruggs’ time to become a leader on that front five.

Going into last season, many analysts picked Penn State to bounce back after a disappointing 2020 season. They went 5-0 and everything was downhill from there. Despite losing key talent like Ebiketie, Brandon Smith and Jaquan Brisker, the Nittany Lions have plenty of potential to have a bounce back season in 2022.

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Andrew Harbaugh, Contributor
@MandrewNFL

Manny Diaz and the defense is what should have fans feeling most optimistic this year. The entire Big Ten is starting to follow the way of Ohio State and focus on offense, Penn State is staying true to its way and keeping defense as a focus. Manny Diaz brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the coordinator position, not to mention some fun schemes he may implement along the way.

Kevin McGuire, Editor
@KevinOnCFB

Maybe I am being a bit naive to expect that things have to be better in a few key areas, but I really do think Penn State was not far off from having a drastically better season than it did a season ago. Injuries and a lack of running game killed Penn State last season, which had four regular season losses decided by four or fewer points. Toss in a respectable running game, and it may not be a stretch to suggest Penn State could flip half of those results in their favor (looking at you, nine- overtime loss to freaking Illinois).

I am of the belief the defense is going to be just fine. Even if it is not quite as good as it was a year ago, it should still be among the best the Big Ten has to offer that will be capable of keeping teams below their scoring average, giving the offense the opportunity chances to take games under their control.

And I do believe the offense has too much talent to be stale and squander those opportunities. I’m not going to sit here and say Penn State is going to blast their opponents the way they did in 1994, but this offense under a second season with Mike Yurcich and with the weapons it does return has me excited to see what can be done. The offensive line has potentially been improved and the running game has too much talent not to have a 100-yard rusher again in 2022.

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