Penn State is a bit of a tricky team to forecast in 2022. Or, at the very least, it is a program that appears to have a lack of consistency among prognosticators going into the new college football season this fall. It seems as though Penn State is generally being viewed as a top 25-worthy team but one thing most seem to agree on is that this is a program that has something to prove once again before being placed in any nationally relevant storylines.
Athlon Sports has stressed that much in its preseason coverage going into the new season, which is part of the reason why Penn State appears at No. 25 in its full 1-131 FBS ranking for the upcoming season.
Athlon Sports already included Penn State in its preseason top 25, so the ranking of the Nittany Lions in this full-blown FBS ranking is no surprise. But just as a refresher on what Athlon Sports thinks of Penn State going into the season, here is some of what the outlet had to say about the Nittnay Lions in 2022;
It’s a crucial year for Penn State to get the program back on track after an 11-11 mark over the last two seasons. Also, after a 5-0 start last fall, the team went 2-6 over the last eight matchups. Reversing that trend starts on offense. Quarterback Sean Clifford has to play with more consistency, but the senior also needs more help from a shaky offensive line that surrendered the most sacks (44) of any team in the Big Ten. In addition to better pass protection, the line has to improve its run blocking after the Nittany Lions failed to have a 100-yard rusher and managed just 2.96 yards per carry in ’21. Assuming Clifford takes a step forward and the line improves, the skill talent – receiver Parker Washington and talented true freshman running back Nick Singleton headline the key returning playmakers – is there for the offense to improve (25 points a game last fall).
Athlon Sports went on to note the defense has some big shoes to fill after some roster turnover from last year, but Penn State does appear to have some suitable replacements to make for a solid defensive effort this fall.
You can see the rest of what Athlon Sports had to say about Penn State and the full 1-131 FBS ranking for the new college football season HERE.
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