2016 Penn State Football Breakdown

Hello, all. Saturday marks the beginning of the 130th season of Penn State football. The Lions have an exciting schedule, so I'm going to write about every game, who will win it, and how it will happen. Just to clarify, I will not be breaking down Penn States roster, giving in depth reasons why they will win or lose games,  and, most importantly, I will not be breaking down the Pitt game. I will save that for when the time comes.
Week 1
The Nittany Lions roll to an opening day win. Saquon Barkley rushes for 145 yards and a touchdown, while Trace McSorley puts together a solid debut at QB, going 17-24 with 250 yards and 2 TD;s one to Chris Godwin, and another to Daesean Hamilton. On defense, Jason Cabinda and Brandon Bell both shine at linebacker, with Cabinda picking off a pass and recovering a fumble. The Lions win easily against a cream puff.
Penn State 42, Kent State 10

Week 3
vs. Temple
Barkley explodes again, rushing for 165 yards and two TD's The Penn State defense is relentless all day, and everyone forgets about Temple's 27-10 drubbing of Penn State last year. The Lions will have too much talent and motivation to lose this one
Penn State 27, Temple 10

Week 4
at #7 Michigan
Jim Harbaugh has not decided on whether to start Wilton Speight or John O'Korn at quarterback, but whoever gets the nod will have Jehu Chesson to throw to. Chesson will carve the PSU secondary up for 135 yards receiving and two touchdowns. Trace McSorley receives a harsh introduction to Big 10 football via way of a Jabril Peppers pick six late in the first quarter, and will go on to have an erratic game passing the ball. Sequon Barkley will be the one shining light on the PSU offense, rushing for 82 yards and a touchdown. PSU will score a touchdown in garbage time to make the score seem closer than it was, but it will be too little too late, and the Nittany Lions will suffer their first loss.


Michigan 36, Penn State 21


Week 5
vs. Minnesota
The defense will be the story of this matchup. Jason Cabinda will step up with 2.5 sacks and a fumble recovery, while Garret Sickles will pick up a big INT late to seal the win. McSorley will struggle a bit, but Sequon Barkley and Miles Sanders will combine for over 150 yards rushing the ball, and Penn State will pull away from a scrappy Minnesota bunch.


Penn State 27, Minnesota 13

Week 6
vs. Maryland 
Maryland is tricky. They look to be an awful team this year, as they were in 2015, but I still have a feeling that they will play Penn State tough... at least for a little bit. QB Perry Hills will have his moments, but at the end of the day, the Nittany Lions will be too much, mainly due to McSorley having his best game of the season, through for 330 yards and three touchdowns. A Jason Cabinda INT will seal the deal late in the 4th quarter.

Penn State 35, Maryland 24

Week 8
vs. Ohio State
Yes, the Nittany Lions get the Buckeyes at home. But this Penn State team is not ready to compete with Urban Meyer's athletes just yet. Penn State will keep thing tight in the first half, mainly due to adrenaline, but J.T. Barret will go off in the second half, rushing for two touchdowns and throwing for one more.

Ohio State 35, Penn State 17

Week 9
at Purdue
McSorley throws for 315 yards, while Sanders and Barkley both rush for 75+. Purdue is a joke, and the Lions will have too much firepower

Penn State 44, Purdue 14

Week 10
vs. Iowa
Iowa is a damn good football team that could win the Big 10. But playing in Beaver Stadium at night is one of the toughest things to do in college football. I have a feeling that the Penn State defense will rise to the occasion, Garret Sickles will sack C.J. Beathard twice, the second one forcing a fumble Tamba Hali style.

Penn State 17, Iowa 14

Week 11
at Rutgers 
Rutgers will be a tough game for Penn State, as Piscataway is an underrated place to play regarding toughness. The Scarlet Knights will lead Penn State late in the 3rd quarter, before SeQuon Barkley takes over, rushing for two fourth-quarter touchdowns to put the game away.

Penn State 31, Rutgers 20.
Week 12
at Indiana
Indiana has beaten Penn State once since PSU joined the Big 10 in 1993. This won't be the second time.

Week 12

Week 13
vs. Michigan State
Penn State will not get embarrassed by Sparta the way they did last November. The Spartans will get all they can handle. However, Tyler O'Connor (300 yards, 3 TD's) will make enough big plays, squeak Sparty by,  and win yet another Land Grant Trophy.