247 releases Penn State football projected win total for 2023

After winning the Rose Bowl and finishing 11-2 a season ago, the Nittany Lions have some huge expectations as we enter the 2023 season.

2022 was an incredible campaign for PSU — one which destroyed false narratives and re-established Penn State football as a top contender in the sport. Now, as we turn the page, the Nittany Lions will look to build on their previous success in 2023. A season ago, James Franklin and Co. won 11 games, finished No. 7 in the rankings, broke the top-10 losing streak, and brought home Penn State’s second-ever Rose Bowl title.

This fall, with Drew Allar under center, an incredible defense, and much more, the Nittany Lions will look to finally break through the glass ceiling, win their second-ever Big Ten title game and more. That being said, 247 Sports is not as high on Penn State football as some other outlets are.

Where does Penn State football rank?

Earlier in the week, we reported that ESPN’s SP+ model has Penn State football at No. 5 overall in its initial rankings, only behind No. 1 Georgia, No. 2 Ohio State, No. 3 Michigan, and No. 4 Alabama. Pretty elite company, if you ask me. Still, 247 Sports does not seem so confident in the Nittany Lions this year.

Penn State has the third-highest projected win total in the Big Ten conference, only behind Michigan and Ohio State, who both sit at 11. The Nittany Lions, however, are not even in the double digits — Penn State sits at 9.5 right now.

Once again, the Nittany Lions must prove it on the field

Frankly, I do not blame 247 Sports for listing Penn State football at 9.5 wins — the Nittany Lions need to prove it on the field just as they did in 2022. For years now, the rankings and media have given the Nittany Lions the benefit of the doubt; however, after an 11-11 stretch from 2020-2021, Penn State has seemingly fallen from grace. Now, James Franklin and his team must earn their spot among the nation’s best teams.

This season will be Penn State’s best shot at a Big Ten title since 2017 when the Nittany Lions finished 11-2 with a Fiesta Bowl victory, yet fell just short of a second-straight conference championship. It is time for the glass ceiling to break.