Can the Penn State Nittany Lions Make It to the Big Ten Championship?

Do the Penn State Nittany Lions have a shot to win the Leaders Division?

Well, before a 5-1 start, which includes a win against their big white whale, Iowa, I'd have said no.

But now they're 2-0 in Big Ten play and are gaining momentum, even without a starting quarterback named. They have only lost to Alabama, a team who is jockeying for BCS title position with LSU. Yes, every win of the five has looked ugly, but they also seem to get better, especially on defense.

Also, despite the quarterback issues, the rest of the offense is getting their act together. The offensive line, which plagued this team all last year, seems to have come together, and, in turn, has the running game hitting its stride.

The duo of Silas Redd and Curtis Dukes can continue to carry the offense while the quarterbacks continue to shuffle.

When Brandon Beachum returns, they will become a formidable trio of three different styles to keep any defense off-center.

The real question is: Do they have enough wins left on the schedule to beat out Wisconsin? 

Purdue at Home

The Purdue Boilermakers will be feisty, but they're not very talented and have been plagued by mistakes.

They'll hang for the first half, but I don't really see Purdue scoring more than 10 points. This is still a team in flux, and who knows if Danny Hope will ever be able to get them anywhere.

They just don't have the fire power. The Lions should dominate from halftime on come Saturday.

Penn State at Northwestern

This one could be interesting.

The Northwestern Wildcats are having a somewhat rough year with Dan Persa missing time, but this team can put up points when he is healthy. 

The Wildcats don't have much beyond Persa, and the Lions should be able to push them around.

Again, they should hang for a while: The Lions have shown they don't possess the ability to start games well. 

The running game should control this one and wear down the Wildcat defense. The Lions will control the clock and keep Northwestern's only legitimate weapon, Persa, off of the field.

Illinois at Home

We'll find out this week, when Illinois plays a "down" Ohio State team, if they're for real.

Illinois is a veteran team with firepower. 

The Lions defense will do its job, but the offense will have to put up 20 plus points to win this one. Let's hope the quarterback situation is solved by the time this one rolls around.

Just like with the previous two games, they'll have to ride the running game. Even if there is a starter at quarterback, neither will be the better offensive option. 

If the defense can hold the Illini and the offense can put up some points, the Illini can be had. 

Nebraska at Home

Anybody who saw the series between Penn State and Nebraska in 2001-02 knows how much fun this will be.

Let's just hope this one gets a spot on the night schedule. 

The Huskers are good, but Wisconsin showed us they're not as good as advertised coming into the season.

Even Ohio State showed us the Huskers are vulnerable. This will probably be the best game of the schedule.

The defense has to stop Taylor Martinez from running, especially since he has had so much difficulty passing. With the Buckeyes dropping 28 on these guys, they're not invincible.

Plus, if it's a night game, the atmosphere will be a huge advantage for the Lions. 

Penn State at Ohio State

Who would've thought this may be the easiest game in this stretch?

No Pryor, no Tressel and lots of problems for the Buckeyes. 

The Buckeyes can't even get out of their own way. They couldn't hold a 28-point lead against the Huskers. I don't think the game will be a cakewalk, but it should be comparable to the slugfest against Iowa.

These teams should trade blows for 60 minutes in what will be a low scoring, but exciting game at The Shoe.

If the Lions don't turnover the ball and give the Buckeyes a taste of "Tressel-ball", they should be able to walk away with a victory in the neighborhood of 17-7 or so.

Penn State at Wisconsin

These Badgers, lead by Russell Wilson, are scoring like the Warner-lead "Greatest Show On Turf" Rams.

If there was any doubt Brett Bielema needs to recruit higher-level quarterbacks, there shouldn't be anymore. 

It's beginning to look like Penn State has the only defense that "might" be able to slow down Russell Wilson.

I hate to say they should hope Wisconsin loses before this, but they probably should, as it looks like they're unstoppable.

Nobody thought they'd drop 48 on the Huskers...nobody.

The Lions' only hope is to get a turnover or two and hope the defense can keep them somewhere in the neighborhood of 30 points. The offense has its work cut out for it, but it can be done with this defense on the other side.