Penn State Football: 2008 Predictions

Syracuse is coming off an extremely poor 2007 season.  Still, they have enough talent to scare Penn State in the first road game of the season.  With the game in New York, Penn State should have a strong following at the game that will help them past a slow start.  Clark should earn the confidence of the Penn State faithful by bringing the team back from behind.

Penn State 24, Syracuse 17

Temple is an extremely poor football program that is on the rise.  They hung with Penn State for most of the game last year at their home stadium, but relied on many Penn State mistakes.  This will be Penn State's statement game.  While Darryl Clark has performed well to this point, this will be a huge passing game for him and his talented receivers.

Penn State 49, Temple 7

Penn State's first Big Ten game of the season is a big one.  The game against the Fighting Illini is a night game, and the Penn State students will be out in full "white-out" force.

Illinois is coming off a fantastic season where they earned a berth in the Rose Bowl.  They have a significant test in their first game of the season against Missouri, and then two much easier games after that.  I think how Illinois comes out against Penn State will have a lot do with their result against Missouri.

Penn State should have a lot of confidence and a ton of support from the home crowd, but if both teams are undefeated, Illinois will undoubtedly match that enthusiasm.

Penn State has had some spectacular performances in night games (Ohio State in 2005, Nebraska in 2002), but they were also run right off the field last year in a night game against Ohio State.

If PSU can win this one, they will be well on their way to an outstanding season.  But if they lose, it should be more of the same from the last two years.  As of now, I believe the emotion in Beaver Stadium will give the Lions the edge they need.

Penn State 27, Illinois 24

For whatever reason, Penn State always does well against Purdue.  Purdue played the Nittany Lions close at home last season, but Penn State always seems to come out on top in these matchups.  The PSU defense will continue to shut down the passing attack of the Boilermakers, and Penn State's offense should have enough scoring to win a defensive battle.

If Penn State is coming off a loss, a slow start would be expected, but either way the Lions should be able to win this one.

Penn State 16, Purdue 9

More than any other game on the schedule, this one screams danger to me for PSU.  Penn State dominated the Badgers last year, but rest assured they will be looking for revenge.

If my predictions thus far stand correct, then I expect the Lions to give Wisconsin a tough fight—but in the end Wisconsin will do what they do best, and methodically defeat Penn State. 

Wisconsin 26, Penn State 17

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