Penn State football schedule 2020: Predicting every Nittany Lions game

Penn State football should finish on a high note in November.

Nov. 7 at Nebraska

The Nebraska Cornhuskers have had high expectations for the past two seasons but have failed to come anywhere close to those expectations, starting the Scott Frost era on a low note. 2020 should shine some light on the Cornhuskers’ future as they look to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2016. Penn State will more than likely win this game but expect Nebraska to give them their best shot, staying in this one through halftime. But the Cornhuskers are still a year away from competing with the Big Ten’s best. Penn State, 34-23.

Nov. 14 vs Michigan State

The Michigan State Spartans have been known to play spoiler to a one-loss Penn State team in both 2017 and 2018 and Penn State looks to avoid history from repeating itself. Throw into the mix that the Spartans seem to be on a decline to a dark place that it seems they’ll be in until further notice, Penn State should have no issue getting through this game as long as they don’t beat themselves. Also, with the season nearing its end, be on the lookout for James Franklin to run up the score a bit to improve their Playoff resume. Penn State, 38-17.

Nov. 21 vs Maryland

The Maryland Terrapins started off 2019 with a bang averaging 70 points in their first two games, having many think they were going to compete within the Big Ten East. But then they played Penn State, lost 59-0, and finished the season 3-9. Maryland tends to recruit well but it never reflects, which could be more of a reflection on the culture and development of the coaching staff. In addition to finishing the season with Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State and Michigan State, the Terrapins play Wisconsin, Minnesota and West Virginia. Penn State will take advantage of this grueling schedule and cap off their final home game with a blowout victory. Penn State, 42-16.

Nov. 28 at Rutgers

Aside from Monmouth, every team on Rutgers schedule should have a blowout win as the result of their game against the Scarlet Knights. You would think that Rutgers would get lucky and win more than four games but that has yet to be seen since their first year in the Big Ten. But even though it’s just Rutgers, Penn State will use this game to add their final impression on their Playoff resume, hoping to squeak into that fourth spot with just one loss. The Nittany Lions win this in an obvious fashion. Penn State, 48-9.

Dec. 31Orange Bowl (College Football Playoff Semi-Final) vs. Ohio State

Hear me out. If Ohio State runs the table, they should easily get the top seed in the Playoff. Clemson should still win the ACC but with the loss of Justyn Ross for the entire season, Clemson will struggle some. Alabama will be good, as usual, but the SEC has more power behind to push the Tide out of the Playoff for the second consecutive year, while the Big 12 will be more competitive, making it unlikely that Oklahoma, or anyone else, makes the playoff. And don’t even get me started on the Pac-12.

The third and fourth seed is wide open this year and a one-loss Penn State team could make its way into the Playoff. And once again, their season hinges on a matchup against Ohio State. And for the second time this season, Penn State drops another close one to the Buckeyes. Ohio State, 38-31.

Prediction: 11-2 (8-1), 2nd Big Ten East, College Football Playoff Appearance.