Nittany Lions Roaring to the top.

James Franklin leads the Penn State Nittany Lions into 2023 with high hopes following a 35-21 Rose Bowl victory against the Utah Utes. This season PSU looks to finally get over the hump and break into the CFB Playoff conversation for the first time since 2016. With 14 combined starters on both sides of the ball, Penn State is primed for a run in the Big 10 and with that, positions themselves in the hunt for the CFP. The bad news for PSU is that they are in the same division as Michigan and Ohio State, which in case you didn't know, will be extremely difficult to make it through both of those unscathed. In fact, PSU has lost to both Ohio State and Michigan in five of the last nine seasons under James Franklin. If Penn State wants to be taken seriously as a national contender, then they can't let that happen in 2023.

Here's how they can achieve that goal and finally break through and earn their way back to the top of the Big 10. First and foremost, the level of quarterback play from expected starter Drew Allar. Allar is a former 5-star QB who backed up Sean Clifford for the 2022 season. He has played in only a handful of games and in those games, passed for 344 yards and 4 TDs. PSU will need to be able to use Allar successfully to avoid becoming one-dimensional. Luckily, they have a veteran offensive line that can help Allar be the best he can be. On the receiving end of things, Penn State returns WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith who finished the year with 24 receptions 389 yards and 4 TD’s, with an 88 yard touchdown reception in the Rose Bowl. Along with the added transfers Dante Cephas and Malik McCain, you can count on PSU being elite offensively. On top of helping out the QB play, the O-line for PSU will be utilized in the running game as well. The Nittany Lions welcome back both Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen who in 2022 combined for 1,928 yards and 22 Touchdowns. This one two punch will be able to wear down defensive lines all across the Big 10. They are tough and aggressive runners who will be punishing and relentless to opponents.

On defense Penn State brings back 6 starters to a team where they finished top 5 (5th) in the Big 10 in Scoring defense and top 10 (7th) in total defense only allowing 323.5 yards per game. They have the pieces needed to build on the success they had last year, in the secondary cornerbacks Kalen King and Johnny Dixon look to tighten up a defense that allowed 212.3 passing yards per game in 2022. This finished the season 9th in the Big 10, they have to do better if they want to compete with the likes of Michigan and Ohio State. On the D-line, defensive ends Adisa Issacc and Chop Robinson who together combined for 9.5 sacks and 21 tackles for loss look to ramp up production and take off for even bigger numbers than what they had last year. The one drawback to the Penn State defense is the interior of that defensive line. If the Nittany Lions really want to be competitive then they will need to have that push in the interior. If they lack that and fail to apply pressure to opposing quaterbacks, then they can see themselves in the same boat that they were in in 2022. However, much like the offensive side, if that interior can step up and make an impact, then I expect to see PSU quickly climb the ranks and possibly throw a knockout punch to those currently atop the Big 10.

My way too early predictions for Penn State is that they will finish 2nd in the East division with 11-1 (8-1). I'm very high on the Nittany Lions this year, I believe that they can take a step forward in both the Big 10 and the national spotlight. I truly believe that PSU will split the Michigan and Ohio State games, with losing at home to Michigan but upsetting Ohio State on the road.