The start of a brand new college football season is quickly approaching, so it is time to officially go on the record with some game-by-game predictions. We’ll be sharing our official staff predictions for Penn State’s upcoming season soon, but I am officially on the record already, so I’ll show my cards to you now.
I took part in providing my game-by-game predictions for Penn State’s 2022 season with the folks over at Athlon Sports this week. It turns out my predicted record was spot-on with the two other experts sharing their opinions for Athlon Sports. The three of us combined for identical 9-3 record predictions for Penn State this fall, although we arrived at those predictions in slightly different ways.
You can see the full post over at Athlon Sports, but here are my game-by-game predictions for Penn State’s 2022 season and a quick thought or two about my prediction.
September 1 – at Purdue
Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Prediction: WIN
Penn State will be in for a real good test on the road in the season opener, but they will find a way to pull out a road win in conference play on the Thursday night opener in Week 1.
September 10 – vs. Ohio
Andrew Weber-US Presswire
Prediction: WIN
Penn State’s home opener should be an easy game to take care of business and clean up a few things after the opener and before making a road trip down south.
September 17 – at Auburn
Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Prediction: LOSS
Penn State held on to take down Auburn last year and make the return trip to the SEC school this year in Week 3. Expect another tough competitive battle, but my gut instinct suggests Penn State comes home with a non-conference loss to recover from.
September 24 – vs. Central Michigan
Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Prediction: WIN
Penn State should get a rebound win at home with their second home game against a MAC opponent. Central Michigan puts up a better fight than Ohio, but Penn State still manages to take care of business without too much concern.
October 1 – vs. Northwestern
Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports
Prediction: WIN
Penn State returns to Big Ten play with one final home game before an off week. Northwestern can be a pesky team that is more difficult to put away than most fans may want.
October 15 – at Michigan
Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Prediction: LOSS
Penn State nearly picked up a big win last fall against eventual Big Ten champion Michigan, and they should be in for a respectable battle this year in Ann Arbor. But the Wolverines…