Penn State Football 2022 Season Preview | Schedule Predictions
This week on the Big 10 Takeover is a preview of the Penn State Nittany Lions. Penn State enters the 2022 season trying to right the wrongs of a second-half collapse last season, where they started off 5-0, but finished 7-6. Their defense carried them in 2021, but with multiple starters off to the NFL, can the offense, led by wide receivers Parker Washington and Mitchell Tinsley, and quarterback Sean Clifford lead the Nittany Lions back to Big 10 contention?
This week on the Big 10 Takeover is a preview of the Penn State Nittany Lions. Penn State enters the 2022 season trying to right the wrongs of a second-half collapse last season, where they started off 5-0, but finished 7-6. Their defense carried them in 2021, but with multiple starters off to the NFL, can the offense, led by wide receivers Parker Washington and Mitchell Tinsley, and quarterback Sean Clifford lead the Nittany Lions back to Big 10 contention?
This episode of The Big 10 Takeover Pod is brought to you in partnership with Prize Picks. Use the link https://bit.ly/TSNxPrizePicks or go to Prize Picks and enter promo code TAKEOVER to receive a 100% deposit match on all deposits up to $100. Daily Fantasy made easy. Pick against the numbers and have a ton of fun on Prize Picks.
2021 Season Review
Penn State started the year off strong at 5-0, with wins against Wisconsin and Auburn, but some of their offensive struggles were already showing. Their run game couldn’t find a true rhythm yet, and QB Sean Clifford wasn’t playing at the highest level Penn State would have hoped for.
They entered a huge matchup @ Iowa, where their offensive problems finally caught up. Sean Clifford threw for 2 interceptions before leaving the game with an injury, and backup QB Ta’Quan Robinson threw for 2 more when he stepped in. The Nittany Lions had 287 total yards of offense (granted against a very good Iowa defense), but their offense was holding them back.
The following week, they fell again to Illinois in 9OT, yes NINE overtimes, and the train was starting to come off the track. (227 total yards of offense)
They held their own in Columbus the next week with the Buckeyes, who’s defense allowed Sean Clifford to throw for over 350 yards, but had only 33 rushing yards for the game.
They closed out the season with wins against Rutgers and Maryland, but losses to Michigan, Michigan State, and Arkansas in their bowl game, finishing 7-6 on the season.
James Franklin signed a 10 year, $70 million contract extension in November, which seemed somewhat “undeserving” as some Penn State fans called it
2022 Season Preview
Key Departures
WR Jahan Dotson
S Jaquan Brisker
RB Noah Cain (transfer to LSU)
LB Brandon Smith & Ellis Brooks
OT Rasheed Walker
DE Arnold Ebiketie
Key Returners
QB Sean Clifford
WR Parker Washington (840 yards, 4 TDs)
DB Ji’Ayir Brown
OL Juice Scruggs → Figures to move to center
LB Curtis Jacobs → lone returner at LB
New Additions
WR Mitchell Tinsley, WKU (1,407 yards, 14 TDs) Could be HUGE for Penn State
DC Manny Diaz (former HC at Miami FL)
Penn State allowed only 17 PPG last season, which was ranked 6th in the country, but could be hard to replicate with some of their losses on the defensive side. Sean Clifford, Parker Washington, and Mitchell Tinsley will need to step it up for Penn State to be in big 10 contention this year.
@ Purdue - L
Ohio - W
@ Auburn - W
Central Michigan - W
Northwestern - W
@ Michigan - L
Minnesota - W
Ohio State - L
@ Indiana - W
Maryland - L
@ Rutgers - W
Michigan State - W
Overall: 8-4
This episode of The Big 10 Takeover Pod is brought to you in partnership with Prize Picks. Use the link https://bit.ly/TSNxPrizePicks or go to Prize Picks and enter promo code TAKEOVER to receive a 100% deposit match on all deposits up to $100. Daily Fantasy made easy. Pick against the numbers and have a ton of fun on Prize Picks.
2021 Season Review
Penn State started the year off strong at 5-0, with wins against Wisconsin and Auburn, but some of their offensive struggles were already showing. Their run game couldn’t find a true rhythm yet, and QB Sean Clifford wasn’t playing at the highest level Penn State would have hoped for.
They entered a huge matchup @ Iowa, where their offensive problems finally caught up. Sean Clifford threw for 2 interceptions before leaving the game with an injury, and backup QB Ta’Quan Robinson threw for 2 more when he stepped in. The Nittany Lions had 287 total yards of offense (granted against a very good Iowa defense), but their offense was holding them back.
The following week, they fell again to Illinois in 9OT, yes NINE overtimes, and the train was starting to come off the track. (227 total yards of offense)
They held their own in Columbus the next week with the Buckeyes, who’s defense allowed Sean Clifford to throw for over 350 yards, but had only 33 rushing yards for the game.
They closed out the season with wins against Rutgers and Maryland, but losses to Michigan, Michigan State, and Arkansas in their bowl game, finishing 7-6 on the season.
James Franklin signed a 10 year, $70 million contract extension in November, which seemed somewhat “undeserving” as some Penn State fans called it
2022 Season Preview
Key Departures
WR Jahan Dotson
S Jaquan Brisker
RB Noah Cain (transfer to LSU)
LB Brandon Smith & Ellis Brooks
OT Rasheed Walker
DE Arnold Ebiketie
Key Returners
QB Sean Clifford
WR Parker Washington (840 yards, 4 TDs)
DB Ji’Ayir Brown
OL Juice Scruggs → Figures to move to center
LB Curtis Jacobs → lone returner at LB
New Additions
WR Mitchell Tinsley, WKU (1,407 yards, 14 TDs) Could be HUGE for Penn State
DC Manny Diaz (former HC at Miami FL)
Penn State allowed only 17 PPG last season, which was ranked 6th in the country, but could be hard to replicate with some of their losses on the defensive side. Sean Clifford, Parker Washington, and Mitchell Tinsley will need to step it up for Penn State to be in big 10 contention this year.
@ Purdue - L
Ohio - W
@ Auburn - W
Central Michigan - W
Northwestern - W
@ Michigan - L
Minnesota - W
Ohio State - L
@ Indiana - W
Maryland - L
@ Rutgers - W
Michigan State - W
Overall: 8-4