Tag: 2024 Penn State Football Preview

Big Ten championship game predictions for 2024

Our staff shares their 2024 preseason Big Ten championship game predictions.

The Big Ten has some new looks in 2024 that have everyone around the conference excited to get things started. The Big Ten welcomed four new members to the mix this year with Oregon, UCLA, USC, and Washington joining the conference. The expansion of the conference has also changed the way the Big Ten will setup its conference championship game with no more division play. Instead, the top two teams in the conference’s overall standings will face off in Indianapolis for the right to call themselves Big Ten champion.

Michigan has been the top program the past few years but Ohio State is looking to return to the top of the Big Ten. It will have to fend off new Big Ten threat Oregon, and Penn State figures to be on the radar all season long.

Here are our predictions for this year’s Big Ten championship game matchup and outcome.

Brad Wakai: Ohio State over Oregon

The Buckeyes might have lost the first matchup between these two on the road, but they won’t lose with the championship on the line. Ohio State gets back to the top of the Big 10 and earns an automatic berth in the Playoff.

Charlie Strella: Oregon vs. Ohio State

It’s probably the most obvious selection for a Big Ten title game in quite a few years, but the elimination of the east/west divisions makes this the obvious choice. The Ducks and the Buckeyes are the two best teams in the conference and a cut above the rest. Perhaps Penn State, USC or Michigan could make a compelling case but for now Ohio State and Oregon are the two teams who look the most ready for a Big Ten title.

Shayne Kubas: Oregon over Ohio State

As much as I would love to see Penn State in this game, Ohio State and Oregon are the teams to beat in the Big Ten until proven otherwise. The Ducks offense should be electric, and their defense has plenty of talent to work with. Ohio State has a lot of new pieces on offense that need to come together, but they are as talented as any team in the country aside from Georgia. I think the Ducks will just barely edge out the Buckeyes, winning the conference in their inaugural season.

Kevin McGuire: Ohio State over Oregon

It feels like I’m taking the obvious pick here, but Ohio State and Oregon are geared up for pursuing national title dreams this season for a reason. They may be the two best teams in the conference, and we will get a likely preview of this matchup earlier in the year when Ohio State visits Oregon on Oct. 12. I think Oregon wins that round at home but the Buckeyes get the revenge in Indianapolis.

I think Penn State is in the Big Ten title hunt all season, but the Nittany Lions are going to have to beat Ohio State to get there. I think Penn State suffers two losses in Big Ten play to fall just shy of the championship game.

Follow Nittany Lions Wire on X, Facebook, and Threads.

Penn State defensive MVP predictions for 2024

Our staff makes their picks for Penn State’s defensive MVP in 2024.

Penn State’s offense may be the bigger question for the Nittany Lions this season, but the defense has a few things to figure out this season as well. After the departure of Manny Diaz to be a head coach at Duke, Penn State brought in former Indiana head coach Tom Allen to take over as defensive coordinator. Allen’s reputation as a defensive mind is well-regarded, and he has some good players to work with this season.

Allen has a defense that sees a key player make a notable position change, a rising star at linebacker, and another stud in the making in the secondary to carry on Penn State’s recent line of success in the defensive backfield.

Here are our predictions for Penn State’s defensive MVP in 2024.

Brad Wakai: Tony Rojas

While all the attention is on Abdul Carter moving to edge rusher, it’s going to be tackling machine Tony Rojas who racks up stats and stops the run, allowing Penn State’s pass rushers to wreak havoc like they have done so often.

Charlie Strella: Tony Rojas

The smart pick is Abdul Carter and he rightfully is the best player on PSU’s defense, but this is “Linebacker U” after all so I’m going with the up and coming sophomore Tony Rojas. The next NFL caliber linebacker to come out of Happy Valley. He very well could end up leading the team in tackles and is already emerging as a leader of defense.

Shayne Kubas: Kevin Winston Jr

It’s tempting to go with the explosive Abdul Carter with this pick, but nobody was more consistent on Penn State’s defense last season than Kevin Winston Jr. He is the glue that should keep a new-look secondary together, and there could be a potential top-50 NFL draft pick with his name on it next April.

Kevin McGuire: Abdul Carter

So nobody wants to take Abdul Carter? Then I suppose I will!

The move from linebacker to the edge of the line is a fascinating one and I do believe it will lead to Carter being one of the top edge rusher sin the Big Ten. The explosiveness I expect Carter to bring to the line will create some huge plays in the backfield this season and just his presence alone up front will help others on the line make some plays as well. I think we are in for a monster season from Carter.

Follow Nittany Lions Wire on X, Facebook, and Threads.

Penn State offensive MVP predictions for 2024

Our staff makes their guess on who Penn State’s top offensive player will be this season.

Penn State is hoping to get a little bit more out of its offense this season with the hiring of Andy Kotelnicki. To say he has a well-stocked roster to cook with is an understatement, as there is a good amount of potential to do some damage. Penn State’s offense had many of the same key players a year ago, and things soured a bit in the biggest spots, but perhaps another year of experience and a fresh take on the play calling will be just the right combo for the Nittany Lions to make a push for a spot in the Big Ten championship game or College Football Playoff.

So who will be the biggest star on offense? Our staff had some mixed opinions on how that will play out, but we can probably all agree everyone mentioned here will be instrumental in helping Penn State get to where they want to be this season.

Here are our predictions for Penn State’s offensive MVP in 2024.

Brad Wakai: Nick Singleton

After a down season last year, the elite running back is going to remind everyone how good he is when operating in this new offense. Nick Singleton will go over the 1,000 yard mark and surpass his 12 touchdowns from his freshman season.

Charlie Strella: Nick Singleton

Singleton bounces back after a disappointing season in 2023. He has all the talent in the world as we all witnessed in 2022 and I think Andy Kotelnicki can unlock that version of Singleton once again.

Shayne Kubas: Tyler Warren

Tyler Warren is the most talented pass catcher that the Nittany Lions have, and I trust new offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki to get him the ball consistently. His raw numbers may not end up being spectacular, but his impact will be hard to ignore.

Kevin McGuire: Drew Allar

I suppose I will be taking the easy way out by going with the quarterback, but I genuinely feel this is going to be a much better season for Drew Allar overall. And if he performs to raised expectations following last season with new offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki, Allar will help lead Penn State to some big moments this season. Having the luxury of having a stud tight end and a wide receiver group that should be more viable this season will help Allar thrive.

Follow Nittany Lions Wire on X, Facebook, and Threads.

Penn State final record predictions for 2024

What will Penn State’s record be this season? Our staff goes on the record with our guesses.

Penn State is gearing up for what could be a fun season of college football in Happy Valley. It all kicks off with a challenge on the road against West Virginia. The schedule also includes road trips to Wisconsin and USC in addition to hosting Ohio State and Washington. On paper, the schedule brings some good challenges for a Penn State team many expect to make a push for a spot in the College Football Playoff.

But it’s time to officially go on the record. Our staff came together to share our preseason predictions for this Penn State season, and we all seem to think Penn State will be winning quite a bunch this fall. Will it be enough for a spot in the Big Ten championship or College Football Playoff?

Here is a look at our official record predictions for Penn State this season.

Brad Wakai: 10-2

Losses to Ohio State and Wisconsin

Outside of the Ohio State matchup that looks like a loss on paper, Penn State’s second loss will come against Wisconsin on the road prior to facing the Buckeyes. Good news is they’ll win out and still be in the CFP mix.

Charlie Strella: 10-2

Losses to Ohio State and USC

Both games will be close and likely decide Penn State’s season. Until the Nittany Lions show be otherwise I can’t pick them to upset Ohio State even at Beaver Stadium. The Buckeyes seem to be on another level this year. As for the Trojans, I am worried about the cross country travel without a bye week in between games. USC will have a talented offense no doubt and an even a slightly improved defense could make this a much more challenging matchup than it would have been in past seasons. Penn State has the talent and ability to win both games, but I need to see it before I can believe it.

Shayne Kubas: Final Record: 11-3

Regular season losses to Ohio State and USC, CFP loss in semifinal round

Penn State has had no issue winning 10 games in recent years, but that hasn’t been enough to break into the College Football Playoff picture. Now with 12 spots up for grabs, 10 wins should be all they need. I think they win their first playoff game but fall short in the semifinals.

Kevin McGuire: 10-2

Losses to Ohio State and USC

Could Penn State run the table this season? Yeah, sure. But Ohio State is the best team in the Big Ten and has had Penn State’s number for years. That is not about to change this season, although I expect a tough showing from the Nittany Lions when the Buckeyes come to town. And a cross-country road trip to USC is one I think is a frustrating one against a beatable USC.

Regardless, I think 10-2 gets Penn State into the expanded College Football Playoff, and a shot to host a game is within reach.

Follow Nittany Lions Wire on X, Facebook, and Threads.

Predicting how Tyler Warren will perform in Penn State’s new offense

Penn State tight end Tyler Warren could have some NFL-caliber numbers this season.

The tight end position has been an important part of Penn State’s offense in recent years, sending multiple players to the NFL during that time. Mike Gesecki, Pat Freiermuth, Brenton Strange, and Theo Johnson have all been drafted inside the first four rounds over the last half a decade.

That trend looks to continue with senior tight end [autotag]Tyler Warren[/autotag]. Warren could have left for the draft last season after a dominant bowl game against Ole Miss, but he chose to return to school and make another run at a playoff appearance. He had to share the spotlight with Theo Johnson last season, but he could see his career numbers more than double this year.

With new offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki in charge of the offense, he will want to prioritize getting the ball to the best players on the field, regardless of position. College tight ends are typically underutilized compared to their NFL counterparts, but Warren could be an exception this year with his ability with the ball in his hands.

One of the major concerns for Penn State heading into the season is the lack of established receivers. Ohio State transfer Julian Fleming is the only receiver on the roster with anywhere close to 1,000 career yards. The lack of reliable weapons is a negative for the overall team, but Warren could benefit statistically.

Receiver Keandre Lambert-Smith (now at Auburn) led the team last year with 53 receptions and 673 yards. Warren could beat those numbers this season even if Fleming or the other receivers play well. Quarterback Drew Allar will need a reliable target in high-leverage situations, and aside from Fleming nobody will compete with Warren for that role.

As talented as Warren is, predicting stats for a tight end is tricky. It’s not nearly as straightforward as it was for guys like Allar, Nick Singleton, or Kaytron Allen. I feel confident though that the passing game overall will improve under Kotelnicki, and that means a big year for Warren.

Final Stat Prediction: 55 receptions, 700 yards and 8 touchdowns

Follow Nittany Lions Wire on X, Facebook, and Threads.

Predicting how Kaytron Allen will perform in Penn State’s new offense

What kind of numbers is Kaytron Allen going to put up for Penn State this season?

Penn State has a long and storied history when it comes to the running back position. Saquon Barkley, Curt Warner, Ki-Jana Carter, Franco Harris, and the school’s only Heisman Trophy winner John Cappelletti are just a few of the legendary backs who have worn the blue and white.

That tradition has continued to the current-day Nittany Lions, with the explosive duo of [autotag]Kaytron Allen[/autotag] and Nick Singleton leading a powerful rushing attack over the past two seasons. The junior runners will look to continue their dominance under new offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki in 2024, and the new-look offense could make them even more effective in 2024.

Kotelnicki has been praised for his ability to create explosive plays in the passing game while at Kansas, but his creativity in the run game could be even more important. This example here shows how he will diversify the run game this season.

Creating confusion for the opposing defense is the best way to create wide-open rushing lanes. While more space to take advantage of is theoretically better for the more explosive Singleton, Allen will benefit as well. He may not have the speed or acceleration that his teammate, but Allen has much better power, vision, and patience as a runner.

That combination helped him consistently churn out tough yards while outperforming Singleton in yards (902 vs 752) and yards per attempt (5.2 vs 4.4). Giving him more open lanes will allow him to get a full head of steam to detonate would-be tacklers in the open field. His vision will also help ensure that even if there isn’t a ton of space he can at least get positive yardage.

As I have said in previous stat predictions, Penn State’s new offense complicates things. While I expect the backfield workload to be split nearly 50/50 again in 2024, Singleton or Allen may show to be the better fit and end up receiving a bigger role.

For now, it seems unlikely that Kotelnicki would mess with a good thing. Both backs have different but equally useful skill sets, and I expect them both to be a big part of the offense this season.

Final Stats Prediction: 950 yards rushing on 175 carries, 20 receptions for 120 yards, 10 total touchdowns

Follow Nittany Lions Wire on X, Facebook, and Threads.

Predicting how Nick Singleton will perform in Penn State’s new offense

Could Penn State running back Nick Singleton be in for a big season in 2024?

Penn State has had a dynamic running game for most of the last decade, routinely finishing near the top of the Big Ten in rushing offense. For the past two seasons, [autotag]Nick Singleton[/autotag] and Kaytron Allen have formed a dynamic duo in the Nittany Lions backfield, combining for over 4,000 yards from scrimmage and 41 touchdowns.

Singleton was the more productive back in 2022, finishing with 1,061 yards while averaging a robust 6.8 yards per attempt. The script flipped in 2023, with Allen leading the way with 902 yards while Singleton saw his yards per attempt drop all the way to 4.4.

With new offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki joining the program, some have wondered how the reps in the backfield will be distributed this season. Kotelnicki has stressed that he wants to get the ball into the hands of all his playmakers. I don’t think fans should worry about Singleton or Allen being underutilized in his offense.

Kotelnicki’s offenses at Kansas were full of creative rushing plays that created confusion for the opposing defense, and I expect him to be even more successful doing it with the talent at his disposal in Happy Valley.

Singleton in particular could benefit from more open space with his speed and burst. He lacked the big plays in 2023 that made his freshman season so productive, so more space to operate in this new offense could help him bring his yards per attempt back up in 2024.

Just like with quarterback Drew Allar, trying to predict stats for any Penn State player is more like taking an educated guess with the new offense. It’s in the realm of possibility for one of Singleton or Allen to end up taking over the backfield after splitting carries 50/50 over the last two years.

Despite that possibility, I believe Kotelnicki when he says that he plans to get all of his playmakers involved this year. The run game is the last thing that Penn State needs to change significantly, so expect another year of a two-headed ground attack.

Both backs could look to enter the NFL draft after the season as well, so using them while you have them should be a priority this year.

Final Stats Prediction: 1,050 yards rushing on 185 carries, 20 receptions for 150 yards, 13 total touchdowns

Follow Nittany Lions Wire on X, Facebook, and Threads.

Predicting how Drew Allar will perform in Penn States new offense

Penn State quarterback Drew Allar could be in for a big year with his stats under new offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki.

So much of the conversation and discourse around college football is about statistical performance, and the rise of analytics and new ways of thinking about the sport has only heightened that. With that in mind, stats are not everything. They are the end product of how a player performs, but the surface-level stats often lack the context of why the player performed (or sometimes failed to perform) overall.

For example, Penn State quarterback [autotag]Drew Allar[/autotag]’s stats last season don’t look bad on the surface. The passing yardage (2,631) was disappointing, but he took great care of the football with 25 touchdowns to just two interceptions. Digging a bit deeper paints a different picture, however, as he completed just 59.9% of his passes and failed to consistently hit open receivers on film.

Undoubtedly, he has the talent required to make good on his five-star pedigree, but he failed to deliver in the biggest games during his first full season as the starter. New offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki should be able to better unlock Allar’s natural talent, and he has a strong core of talent around him as he enters his junior season.

Predicting any player’s stats is difficult, even more so with a whole new offense being implemented, but it’s worth the effort as a way to visualize how Penn State’s season could turn out. I believe Allar will see a sizable jump in his passing yards thanks to a focus on creating big plays, and his touchdown numbers should make a small leap to go along with it.

Kotelnicki was great at weaponizing his quarterback’s athleticism while at Kansas, so I expect to see Allar’s rushing output increase as well. He won’t be Jalen Milroe out there, but he should help out the run game more in 2024.

I do expect to see more interceptions from him this season, but the trade-off for more explosive plays will be worth it. Overall, I believe Allar will make significant strides as a player under Kotelnicki in 2024. They will need him to if they want to compete for a Big Ten title and a berth in the College Football Playoffs.

Final Stats Prediction: 3,200 yards passing, 30 touchdowns, 9 interceptions, 400 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns

Follow Nittany Lions Wire on X, Facebook, and Threads.

Abdul Carter among ESPN’s favorite Big Ten players in 2024

Abdul Carter is drawing some big hype entering the 2024 season.

One of the top storylines for the Penn State football team in 2024 is [autotag]Abdul Carter[/autotag]’s position switch. The All Big-Ten linebacker is now moving to the defensive line full-time, and the success of that switch could be the x-factor for a potential playoff berth in the new 12-team format.

While there is no guarantee that Carter can hold up as a pass rusher full-time, many believe he has all the tools to do so. Among those high on him are ESPN reporters Adam Rittenberg and Jake Trotter, who named Carter as one of their favorite players in the Big Ten for the upcoming season.

They love his ability to get into the backfield quickly, citing his impressive 11 career sacks and 16.5 tackles for loss as a linebacker through his first two seasons. It’s not surprising for a player with Carter’s skillset to be a favorite for reporters, and the intrigue surrounding his position switch only adds to it.

It also seems like Carter will still play a more hybrid role on the defense based on the comments from defensive coordinator Tom Allen.

 

Allowing Carter to play both linebacker and edge rusher early on should help ease his transition, but anyone who has watched a lot of Penn State football over the last two years knows that his ceiling is higher off the edge. The comparison to former Penn State and current Dallas Cowboys star Micah Parsons is an obvious one, but it’s also a fair one to make.

Both players showed more flashes of elite play when asked to rush the passer, whether it was as a blitzer or from a true edge alignment. Carter will have the advantage of making the switch before he takes his talents to the NFL, something Parsons didn’t do until partway through his rookie season.

If he is even close to being as successful making the switch as Parsons, he could be a top-10 pick in the 2025 NFL draft while anchoring a playoff-caliber defense in Happy Valley. No matter how the season plays out, however, Carter should be one of the most exciting players to watch in 2024.

Follow Nittany Lions Wire on X, Facebook, and Threads.

Penn State football 2024 schedule, updated kickoff times and broadcast info

All kickoff times and updated broadcast info for Penn State football in 2024.

Penn State is coming off a 10-3 season that left many feeling unfulfilled, but the 2024 season will bring a renewed sense of energy. The entire college football landscape is changing dramatically in 2024 with expansion in the Big Ten and SEC, additional conference realignment changes, and the expansion of the College Football Playoff from four teams to 12. Given its track record during the course of the College Football Playoff, Penn State is among the schools widely expected to be in the hunt for a spot in the expanded playoff field.

The Big Ten is adding four new members to the conference in 2024 with Oregon, UCLA, USC, and Washington leaving behind the Pac-12 for the Big Ten. Penn State will face three of the new members in 2024; UCLA, USC, and Washington (Oregon appears on the schedule for Penn State in 2025).

The Big Ten will continue using a nine-game conference schedule with each Big Ten member playing either four home games and five road games or five home games and four road games. This year will see Penn State play five Big Ten games in Beaver Stadium, including key games against Ohio State and Washington on back-to-back weeks in early November.

Penn State will open the season on the road against West Virginia of the Big 12. It will mark Penn State’s first trip to Morgantown since 1992. It will be the second game in a home-and-home scheduling agreement with Penn State winning last year’s meeting, which was also a season opener.

Here is Penn State’s full 2024 football schedule with updated and confirmed kickoff times and TV information provided if available.

All times are Eastern.

Date Opponent Time TV
Aug. 31 at West Virginia 12:00 p.m. Fox
Sept. 7 BOWLING GREEN 12:00 p.m. Big Ten Network
Sept. 14 Off
Sept. 21 KENT STATE TBA TBA
Sept. 28 ILLINOIS* 3:30/4/7:30 p.m. TBA
Oct. 5 UCLA* TBA TBA
Oct. 12 at USC* TBA TBA
Oct. 19 Off
Oct. 26 at Wisconsin* 12/3:30/7:30 p.m. TBA
Nov. 2 OHIO STATE* TBA TBA
Nov. 9 WASHINGTON* TBA TBA
Nov. 16 at Purdue* TBA TBA
Nov. 23 at Minnesota* TBA TBA
Nov. 30 MARYLAND* TBA TBA
Dec. 7 Big Ten Championship 8:00 p.m. CBS

* – Big Ten conference game

[lawrence-related id=43178]

Follow Kevin McGuire on Threads, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

Follow Nittany Lions Wire on X, Facebook, and Threads.