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>> S T A F F P R E D I C T I O N S NATE BAUER WEBSITE EDITOR One of the easiest predictions to make right now, given its disastrous start and encouraging finish last season, is that Penn State will be better in 2021 than it was in 2020. The challenge is figuring out: by how much? Sean Clifford's performance will be undeniably critical. Staying healthy will be equally important; injuries were one of the bigger factors that contributed to the team's slow start last year. But the steady development that led the team to its strong run of success from 2016-19 very much remains in place for the back side of last year's COVID-19 derailment. Nothing about Penn State's schedule will provide any favors, a setback being seemingly likely before the calendar turns to October. But if this year's Nit- tany Lions are able to better navigate their challenges, plenty of opportunity will be in play for this group. Penn State spent last year learning some hard les- sons, but consider me bullish about its potential this season. PREDICTION 10-2 DAVID ECKERT STAFF WRITER Let's get this out of the way: It would be difficult for Penn State to repeat its disaster of a showing from 2020. The Nittany Lions outgained their opponents by more than 100 yards on average and still managed to come away with a losing record. Statistically, that's remarkable. For Penn State fans, it was just sad. The Nittany Lions will not leave 2021 with a losing record, but that might not necessarily mean that Penn State fans – a group with high expectations for their program – will be satisfied come the end of the season. The Lions must travel to play arguably the two best teams in the Big Ten West Division. They host a solid Auburn team and the reigning Mid- American Conference champion in Ball State, which returns 17 of 22 starters. There are trap doors on this year's schedule that did not exist in previous seasons. Would it shock me to see Penn State win 10 games? No. Would it shock me if the Nittany Lions only won seven? Also no. The football will be much better in 2021, but, by virtue of a tough schedule, I think Penn State finishes with an 8-4 record. PREDICTION 8-4 PHIL GROSZ PUBLISHER Penn State is coming off its first losing season since 2004, and there seems to be a wide divergence of opinion about what its record will look like this fall. The main reason for the lack of any kind of consensus is the difficulty of Penn State's 2021 schedule. One media outlet has ranked it as the sixth-tough- est slate in the Football Bowl Subdivi- sion this year. The lowest ranking I've seen is 26th nationally. At home, Penn State will play four Top 25-caliber op- ponents in Ball State (Sept. 11), Auburn (Sept. 18), Indiana (Oct. 2) and Michi- gan (Nov. 13). On the road, the Nittany Lions will open the season against Wis- consin (Sept. 4) and later will visit Iowa (Oct. 9) and Ohio State (Oct. 30). So of its 12 upcoming regular-season oppo- nents, at least seven are Top 25-caliber teams. And the schedule isn't the only big concern. As of this writing, it appeared that Penn State might have to navigate that slate with almost no experience be- hind starting quarterback Sean Clifford. Unless a transfer arrives in the coming weeks, the backup QBs this year will be redshirt sophomore Ta'Quan Roberson, who has thrown just one pass in his ca- reer to date, and January enrollee Chris- tian Veilleux. Given the difficulty of the schedule, Penn State must find ways to put points on the scoreboard if it's going to chal- lenge for the Big Ten East Division title. This team has plenty of talent, including what I believe to be the best secondary KEY PLAYER Clifford is looking to lead the Nit- tany Lions to a bounce-back season after they finished 4-5 last year. Photos by Mark Selders/Penn State Athletics

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