Big Ten Football - 2021 Penn State Nittany Lions Preview
Our Penn State Nittany Lions preview 2021 sees this team as being very competitive. Last season, the Nittany Lions were 4-5, finishing third in the conference. They did not play in a bowl game. In 2020, PSU started the season by losing their first five games. They then finished up with four straight victories. Their offense averaged 29.8 PPG while their defense allowed opponents 27.7 PPG, which left little margin for error when it came to securing wins. Although they gained respectable yardage on offense and their defense limited teams to 328.8 total YPG, ranking third in the conference and 17th in the nation, the Nittany Lions struggled when it came to putting points on the scoreboard and keeping opponents out of the end zone.
Penn State Offense
Quarterback Sean Clifford returns for his junior year. The hope is that he can repeat his freshman performance when he tossed 23 TDs and seven picks while leading the Nittany Lions to an 11-2 mark. Last season, Clifford threw nine interceptions and 16 TDs. With his sophomore slump behind him, the expectation is that the QB will rebound. Other options for signal caller include redshirt freshman Ta’Quan Roberson and true freshman Christian Veilleux. Three starters return to the line, which should help.
There is talent at wideout and running back. The team’s two top receivers from last year are back. Jahan Dotson grabbed 52 passes for 884 yards and eight TDs. Parker Washington had 36 receptions for 439 yards and four scores. Sophomore Noah Cain, who is coming back from a 2020 season-ending injury, will start at running back. In 2019, as a freshman, he was second on the team with 443 yards. Last year in his first season, Keyvon Lee topped the team with 449 yards and four rushing TDs. Cain and Lee have the potential to be a massive ground gaining tandem.
Penn State Nittany Lions Preview 2021 - Defense
The frontline has issues. With one starter returning, the Lions went to the transfer portal bringing in Duke tackle Derrick Tangelo and Temple end Arnold Ebiketie. Veteran defensive tackle P.J. Mustipher returns after recording 35 tackles, one sack, and two QBH. The backups are not impressive. The LB unit does have experience. However, there are questions concerning this group. Three starters come back to a unit that struggled in 2020. Included are the Nittany Lions’ two top tacklers, Ellis Brooks (60 TKLs) and Jesse Luketa (59 TKLs). In 2020, WLB Brandon Smith posted 37 tackles, two sacks, and six TFL. There’s talent in these ranks, but they need to find consistency.
On this side of the ball, the secondary is the best group. Senior safety Jaquan Brisker is the leader of this unit. Last season, Brisker recorded 57 tackles, three TFL, six PBU, and two QBH. Joey Porter returns to cornerback after making 33 tackles and breaking up four passes.
Specialists
Last season, the speedy Dotson brought back an 81-yard punt return against Michigan State for a score, and he also had a 51-yard return versus Illinois. He’s a dangerous return man. Our Penn State Nittany Lions preview 2021 notes that last year field goals were handled by the duo of Jake Pinegar and Jordan Stout. Of their 18 attempts, they hit just 11, resulting in a 61 percent success rate. That was the worst in the Big Ten. The season prior, they were 13-of-15. As a punter last year, Stout averaged a solid 41.6 YPP.
Penn State Nittany Lions Preview 2021 - Projection
Our Penn State Nittany Lions preview 2021 finds that this team has a tough schedule that includes Auburn out-of-conference and Indiana, Wisconsin, and Ohio State in-conference. We expect the Lions to post a winning record and make it to a bowl game. To get to the Big Ten Championship game, they will have to defeat Ohio State in the regular season, and even if they do so, that still won’t guarantee PSU a first-place finish in the East.
Big Ten Football - Penn State Nittany Lions 2021 - Predictions:
Second Place - Big Ten East
Outback Bowl – vs. Missouri