FOOTBALL

Is there a clear-cut expectation for Penn State football in 2023?

After a phenomenal top-10 year in 2022, is there a clear-cut expectation for Penn State football this fall?

Published

8 months ago

January 25, 2023

Nov 26, 2022; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; A detailed view of the Land Grant Trophy as the Penn State Nittany Lion players sing their alma mater following the game against the Michigan State Spartans at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Michigan State 35-16. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports

After an incredible year of Penn State football in 2022 — one in which the Nittany Lions finished top 10, won 11 games, and brought home a Rose Bowl trophy — PSU is looking even better in 2023. Is there a clear-cut expectation for Penn State football this fall?

Penn State football has its best roster in years

The most glaring upside of Penn State’s 2023 season will be the talent on its roster. The Nittany Lions have more talent than they have since the 2017 season when a Saquon Barkley-led Penn State team finished 11-2 with a Fiesta Bowl win.

Now, rising sophomore quarterback Drew Allar will sit behind a much-improved offensive line, a revamped receiver room, and two of the best running backs in the Big Ten.

On defense, Penn State returns many starters and has some talented in-house talent, such as Abdul Carter and Chop Robinson. Additionally, head coach James Franklin will be in year 10, and Penn State football returns its offensive and defensive coordinators from the 2022 season.

Is there a clear-cut expectation?

There appear to be mixed feelings for Penn State football this coming season. On the one hand, some Nittany Lion fans expect Penn State to be a College Football Playoff contender and possibly win the Big Ten Championship for the first time since 2016.

On the other hand, many Penn State football fans see the youth on this year’s team and are hesitant to crown them off-season champions. Drew Allar could be the future of the Nittany Lions’ program; however, we are still waiting to see what he is made of as a starter. In fairness, most Penn State fans are just glad that we aren’t gearing up for a 7th season of Sean Clifford.

Regarding national media, there are mixed feelings for the opposite reason. Many around the country believe that Penn State football has the pieces to compete for a College Football Playoff spot in 2023, just as they did for many years since 2016. That being said, the country has seemingly lost its faith in James Franklin’s ability to win “big games.”

Franklin somewhat crushed this narrative with his 35-21 Rose Bowl win over Utah; however, he still finished the year 1-2 against ranked teams and lost again to Michigan and Ohio State. Penn State played Ohio State relatively close but still lost by 13 points at home, and at Michigan, the Nittany Lions were embarrassed, 41-17.

In 2023, Penn State football will host Michigan in late November but must square off against the Buckeyes and the Michigan State Spartans on the road. Additionally — even though neither feels like a massive test — Penn State will face West Virginia and Iowa at home. Both teams are coming in with revamped rosters, which could be an early-season test for the young Nittany Lions.

Looking at Penn State’s schedule, I am torn on what to think. On the one hand, depending on how the team meshes next season and how well Penn State’s young talent pans out, I could see Penn State dropping up to three games in 2023. Conversely, if the Nittany Lions are finally up to the hype, I could see PSU going on an undefeated streak and finishing the regular season 11-1 or 12-0.

The verdict

When it comes down to it, Penn State football is again facing some high expectations and much hype this offseason. We have seen it repeatedly, and the dam has to break at some point, right?

That is the nation’s train of thought. At the moment, it appears to be “put up or shut up” time for the Nittany Lions. 10-2 is likely acceptable; however, anything less than that would be a failure for Penn State football this fall. For the Nittany Lions to truly meet expectations (or surpass them) in 2023, Penn State must finish 11-1 or better in the regular season, compete for a Big Ten Championship, and perhaps even a College Football Playoff spot.

Another two-loss season with losses to Ohio State and Michigan would feel routine — same old Penn State. Now, it is time for the Nittany Lions to pick up where they started in 2016 and go on another miraculous run.

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FOOTBALL

Penn State football defenders respond to statement performance

The Penn State football defense sent a statement to everyone in the country last night with their performance.

Published

1 hour ago

September 24, 2023

Morgan Chapman

Penn State football, Adisa Isaac, defensive unit, Manny Diaz

Penn State's Adisa Isaac celebrates after recovering a fumble during a White Out football game against Iowa Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in State College, Pa. The Nittany Lions shut out the Hawkeyes, 31-0.

The Penn State football defense has been elite early on this season. Against Illinois, they forced five turnovers including four interceptions. Then, last night on the national stage the defensive unit shut out Iowa 31-0. They also caused another four turnovers last night, all came from forced fumbles. So, that’s 9 turnovers caused in the past two games, Manny Diaz has this group dialed in. After the game, we caught up with Adisa Isaac and others who shared their thoughts on this statement performance.

Penn State football defenders respond to statement performance

Defensively, Penn State allowed 76 total yards of offense, total domination from start to finish. Iowa finished the night averaging 1.2 yards per rushing attempt. This unit understood the assignment on Saturday night and they took care of business. We asked Adisa Isaac about his thoughts on this statement performance.

Isaac said, “We have a dominant defense. That shouldn’t be no secret but I feel like we just showed in a shutout against a ranked opponent that we have some stuff that’s flowing and it’s only going to get better.”

He wasn’t the only one. After the game star linebacker, Abdul Carter tweeted “BEST DEFENSE IN THE COUNTRY!!!! #WEARE.”

It shows the energy and the confidence that this unit is starting to play with. It’s at the perfect point in the season for Manny Diaz to have this defensive unit firing on all cylinders. As for Iowa offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz, he will have to pick up the pace on his lofty goal of scoring 25 points per game. After the Penn State loss, Iowa is only averaging 21.25 points per game.

The pass rush got home

One of the questions James Franklin was asked earlier this week surrounded the topic of lack of stats from star defenders. One of those players was potential 2024 first-round pick Chop Robinson who picked up his first sack of the season. This was also a strip sack where Robinson caused a turnover. Amin Vanover and Adisa Isaac also collected sacks against Iowa last night.

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FB RECRUITING

BREAKING: Penn State football lands 4-star LB, top 100 player nationally

Penn State lands top 100 nationally ranked linebacker DJ McClary after the whiteout weekend.

Published

4 hours ago

September 24, 2023

Morgan Chapman

Penn State football, DJ McClary, 2025 recruiting

Sep 23, 2023; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin shakes the hands of invited recruits upon the team’s arrival prior to the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports

The whiteout is one of the biggest weekends for the Penn State football team. Not only because of the game that was played. But arguably more importantly, it allows Penn State to showcase its greatness to recruits. The atmosphere, the fans, the community, all of these elements factor into a player’s decision to commit to Penn State. James Franklin made sure that he thanked each player and parent after the game as well for making it to State College. Now, DJ McClary has made his decision to join the 2025 recruiting class for the Nittany Lions.

Penn State football lands 4-star LB, top 100 player nationally

Earlier this week, a crystal ball was placed by 247sports Brian Dohn for DJ McClary to land at Penn State. Now, McClary has made his decision to play his college football at Linebacker U. McClary is a four-star recruit and he is a top-100 recruit in the 2025 recruiting class according to 247sports composite rankings. He is from Jersey City, New Jersey, and chose Penn State over Ohio State, USC, Tennesee, Michigan, and several other schools.

DJ McClary is currently the 3rd highest-rated player in New Jersey and is a massive addition to the 2025 recruiting class at Penn State. James Franklin is hopeful that this is one of many commitments that will result from the 31-0 victory over Iowa. After watching the defense last night, how would you not want to play linebacker at Penn State?

Re-racking the 2025 recruiting class

After recently losing Jaelyne Matthews to a de-commitment this is how the 2025 recruiting class is shaping up for Penn State. Four-star RB KiAndrea Barker, three-star S Omari Gaines, and now DJ McClary.

The Nittany Lions are optimistic that they can land four-star running back Tiqwai Hayes who will make his decision tomorrow.

FOOTBALL

JUST IN: Penn State football moves up in the latest AP Poll

The Penn State football team has received its next set of rankings in the latest AP Poll.

Published

5 hours ago

September 24, 2023

Morgan Chapman

Penn State foootball, AP Poll, James Franklin,

Penn State quarterback Drew Allar prepares to throw a 3-yard touchdown pass to KeAndre Lambert-Smith during a White Out football game against Iowa Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in State College, Pa. The Nittany Lions shut out the Hawkeyes, 31-0.

The Penn State football team is coming off one of its more dominating performances in recent history. Defeating the No.24 ranked Iowa Hawkeyes 31-0. Not only did Penn State shut out Iowa, but they also controlled the entire game in all three phases. James Franklin and his coaching staff had this team prepared to go to battle last night and they did just that. Now, that the game is past us, it’s time for the next set of rankings in the AP Poll to be released.

Penn State football moves up in the latest AP Poll

Penn State entered the matchup against Iowa as the No. 7 team in the AP Poll. Obviously, the Nittany Lions took care of business and have shown that they can be one of the best teams in the country. But around the country, many teams held their own.

Ohio State went into South Bend as the No. 6 ranked team. The Buckeyes defeated No. 9 Notre Dame 17-14 on a last-second rushing touchdown. This has boosted their ranking as the Buckeyes are now the No. 4 ranked team. Penn State will get their chance to defeat the Buckeyes on October 21st when they travel to Columbus, Ohio.

This week, Penn State received the No. 6 ranking in the AP Poll. It’s challenging to move up the AP Poll when no chaos occurs ahead of your team. That’s the position that Penn State has found themselves up to this point. But now, with Ohio State and Penn State taking care of business they were able to move up. The Washington Huskies are closely trailing Penn State and they’re certainly another team that we need to keep an eye on moving forward.

Nittany Lions next challenge

Penn State hits the road again next weekend. They will face a hungry Northwestern team. This will be another 11 a.m. central time kickoff for the Penn State football team. James Franklin will need to get his team motivated to play in this next conference challenge. The Wildcats are coming off of an overtime upset victory over Minnesota. The matchup will appear on Big Ten Network (BTN) next Saturday.