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Penn State football: 5 bold predictions for 2020

By Richard Kimball

STATE COLLEGE, PA - NOVEMBER 30: Micah Parsons #11 of the Penn State Nittany Lions warms up before the game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Beaver Stadium on November 30, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - NOVEMBER 30: Micah Parsons #11 of the Penn State Nittany Lions warms up before the game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Beaver Stadium on November 30, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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We have all your boldest predictions for Penn State football in the 2020 season.

It’s The Playoff or bust for the Penn State Nittany Lions this college football season. A year ago, they surprised many as expectations were for them to have a down year, but an 11-win season silenced the doubters and have many experts thinking Penn State could make The Playoff in 2020, even with one loss.

With their series between in-state rival, the Pitt Panthers, over, for the time being, the Nittany Lions stay in the ACC for the toughest non-conference opponent on their schedule, which is a road game to Blacksburg, VA to take on the Virginia Tech Hokies. The rest of the Nittany Lions non-conference schedule is more than manageable, as it usually is.

As for Penn State’s conference schedule, it is a little bit easier than in recent years. The Nittany Lions play their usual division opponents, including a road game versus Michigan, and a home game against Ohio State, but their opponents from the West division should be a walk in the park for them. Two of those cross-division games are at home against Northwestern and Iowa, and the third has the Nittany Lions on the road to take on Nebraska.

But what should be expected of Penn State football in 2020?

Well, the expectations are set perfectly for them. It is time for the Nittany Lions to break out of their shell and make a serious run at The Playoff this season. And here’s what will happen along their journey.

5. Biggest breakout — Jayson Oweh, DE

Junior defensive end, Jayson Oweh, is finally getting his chance to start and be a leader along the Nittany Lions’ defensive line. In 2019, Oweh primarily played in a relief effort behind Yetur-Gross Matos, who declared for the NFL Draft and was eventually drafted by the Carolina Panthers. In his back up role, Oweh picked up five sacks and two forced fumbles while appearing in 11 games.

The Nittany Lions are known for getting to the quarterback and for forcing turnovers, so anytime you see the quarterback on the ground or see the ball pop out of the runner’s hands, there is a good chance that Oweh had something to do with it.

Last year, Penn State saw a handful of breakout players that have turned into starters, and in 2020, Oweh looks to do the same. The Nittany Lions are asking someone with great production, in a limited role, to make an instant impact on a defense that already consists of several All-Conference members and one All-American, who might be the best defensive player in the entire nation. Yeah, I think that is a pretty obtainable task for a talent like Oweh to accomplish.

There are too many players along the Penn State front seven to stop them all, and with Oweh being the lesser-known player on one of the nation’s best defenses, look for him to take advantage and be the team leader in sacks by the end of the season. And you can expect to see Oweh earn All-Conference honors, and be in the mix for some of college football’s individual season awards as well.

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