With conference realignment dominating the Big 10 headlines this offseason and media pundits hyper-focused on the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry, the Penn State football program enters the 2023-2024 college football season vastly under-hyped.
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Who is going to start at QB for Penn State?
Drew Allar is the unquestioned starter for the Nittany Lions in 2023. The former five-star recruit has an NFL frame at 6-5, 243 pounds, and a gifted arm capable of making throws all over the field. He’s a dark-horse Heisman contender who will likely starting getting national recognition in mid-October, when he has Penn State at 6-0 heading into the Ohio State matchup.
Who are Penn State’s running backs?
Nick Singleton is the starting running back for Penn State and arguably one of the best ball carriers in the country. A classic home-run threat, Singleton possesses true breakaway speed and after crossing the 1,000-yard mark with 12 touchdowns as a freshman, could force his way into the Heisman conversation in 2023. Kaytron Allen will get plenty of work out of the backfield as well and would start at a significant number of other Power 5 programs. Look for the 5-11, 221-pound back to get plenty of short yardage and goal-line opportunities. Minnesota transfer Trey Potts is a teriffic receiver out of the backfield who could make some big plays in third-down scenarios.
Who are Penn State’s best players on defense?
The Nittany Lions’ cornerback room may be one of the best in the country with Kalen King and Johnny Dixon set to lock down the Big 10’s explosive receivers. Junior defensive end Chop Robinson is set for a huge year after registering 5.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss as a sophomore last year.
Penn State football’s NFL draft prospects for 2024
- Olumuyiwa Fashanu, offensive tackle
- The 6-6, 321-pound lineman is ranked either No. 1 or No. 2 behind Notre Dame’s Joe Alt at his position in the 2024 NFL Draft. He’s a surefire first rounder and likely top-10 pick.
- Kalen King, cornerback
- He’s also top-2 at his position and another lock to be selected in the first round.
- Chop Robinson, defensive end
- Projected as a second-round pick for the moment, Robinson is capable of catapulting himself into the first round with a good showing this fall.
Penn State football 2023 schedule breakdown and prediction
| Date | Opponent | Prediction |
| 9/2 | West Virginia | W |
| 9/9 | Delaware | W |
| 9/16 | at Illinois | W |
| 9/23 | Iowa | W |
| 9/30 | at Northwestern | W |
| 10/14 | UMass | W |
| 10/21 | at Ohio State | L |
| 10/28 | Indiana | W |
| 11/4 | at Maryland | W |
| 11/11 | Michigan | W |
| 11/18 | Rutgers | W |
| 11/24 | at Michigan State | W |
Final prediction
Penn State will finish 11-1, with a big upset at home against the Michigan Wolverines in mid-November. This is a rock-solid team with a loaded defense and one of the bright young stars at quarterback. The Nittany Lions will win the Big 10 Championship and earn a trip to the College Football Playoff in 2023. Whether they win it all will depend on who they play, but the Nittany Lions have all the pieces to bring home a title for the first time since 1986.
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