Penn State Nittany Lions' 2024 schedule with game-by-game score predictions (2024)

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Breakdown:After last year’s West Virginia game, fans thought Penn State was on its way to a Big Ten title. Instead, the 332 yards of passing offense was not repeated until the Sugar Bowl. Being on the road will make the game a tad more difficult than last year, but it should not be challenging for the Nittany Lions. Watch to see how the Andy Kotelnicki offense looks in their first game, especially from a passing game standpoint.

Score Prediction:Penn State 45, West Virginia 10

Penn State Record:1-0

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Breakdown:The Falcons made the Quick Lane Bowl last year but fell to Minnesota. However, they are a respectable opponent from the MAC, but are unlikely to pose a threat to one of the Big Ten’s top teams. Unfortunately for Bowling Green, their matchup with Penn State comes as the Nittany Lions’ home opener, and the atmosphere of Beaver Stadium will pose too much to overcome for the Falcons.

Score Prediction:Penn State 48, Bowling Green 7

Penn State Record:2-0

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Breakdown:A weird kink in the schedule gives the Nittany Lions two bye weeks, the first of which comes during week three. Penn State will come back from its bye and face its final non-conference opponent, the Kent State Golden Flashes. The Golden Flashes are known for their up-tempo offense, but at home and off a bye week, Penn State should flourish once again and move to 3-0.

Score Prediction:Penn State 42, Kent State 13

Penn State Record:3-0

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Breakdown:Penn State opens Big Ten play against the Fighting Illini at home and should face little resistance getting their first conference win of the season. After beating Illinois in Champaign 30-13 a year ago, expect something similar come this September.

Score Prediction:Penn State 38, Illinois 10

Penn State Record:4-0

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Breakdown:Week six gives the Nittany Lions their first crack at a new Big Ten foe when the UCLA Bruins come into town. With Chip Kelly departing to become the offensive coordinator at Ohio State, the Bruins look set for a little bit of a rebuilding period under new head coach DeShaun Foster. This one shouldn’t be a problem for James Franklin’s crew as they cruise to 5-0.

Score Prediction:Penn State 35, UCLA 14

Penn State Record:5-0

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Breakdown:Want to relive the 2017 Rose Bowl? Most Penn State fans probably don’t, considering the game was an excruciating loss to the Trojans, but it was arguably one of the more memorable Rose Bowls in recent history. We will get a rematch in Los Angeles this year but without a Caleb Williams-led USC squad. Miller Moss looked good in the Trojans bowl game last December, but will the USC defense be fixed? That is a question for the first five games of the season. This game might be close, but I would like Penn State to win their first Big Ten road game of the season.

Score Prediction:Penn State 33, USC 26

Penn State Record:6-0

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Breakdown:Penn State’s matchup in Madison against the Badgers comes after its second bye week and marks the middle of a brutal six-week stretch. Wisconsin rarely seems to get blown out, especially at home, and Luke Fickell has the Badgers trending in the right direction, so this game figures to be close. I can see a scenario in which Penn State loses this game, but only if the offense is eerily similar to last year; otherwise, the Nittany Lions secure their sixth win.

Score Prediction:Penn State 24, Wisconsin 17

Penn State Record:7-0

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Breakdown:This will be the game that will really tell the story of whether Penn State football is the real deal. Under James Franklin, the Nittany Lions have not won that big regular season game against either Ohio State or Michigan in a long time. Can 2024 be any different? Michigan isn’t on the schedule, but the Buckeyes make an early November trip to Beaver Stadium that would be a huge statement win for the Nittany Lions. I really have no idea what will happen in this game because of Penn State’s two new coordinators, but I still think Ohio State will win even on the road.

Score Prediction:Ohio State 28, Penn State 21

Penn State Record:7-1

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Breakdown:If we did this exercise in December, it would be a different prediction. The Washington Huskies are a completely different team than the team that played in the National Championship game. Kalen DeBoer is now at Alabama, and Michael Penix Jr., along with his elite receiver core, is off the NFL. Perhaps in a few years, once Jedd Fisch and the Huskies make a name for themselves, this matchup becomes competitive, but until then, Penn State holds the upper hand.

Score Prediction:Penn State 33, Washington 20

Penn State Record:8-1

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Breakdown:The Boilermakers could be the worst team in the Big Ten next season. After two tough opponents at home, the Nittany Lions will savor the opportunity to go on the road and face a lowly Purdue squad.

Score Prediction:Penn State 37, Purdue 14

Penn State Record:9-1

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Breakdown:Along with Purdue, Minnesota is another Big Ten foe that Penn State hasn’t played in a year. Last time against the Golden Gophers, the Nittany Lions scored 45 points and had almost 500 yards of offense. The weather could be a factor in Minneapolis in late November, but even cold weather and a better Minnesota squad shouldn’t stop Penn State from rolling.

Score Prediction:Penn State 31, Purdue 21

Penn State Record:10-1

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Breakdown:This won’t be the same Maryland squad led by Taulia Tagovailoa that gave Michigan a scare a year ago. Tagovailoa is gone, and even a lackluster Penn State offense put up 51 points against the Terps last year. While I don’t know about 51 points again, Maryland isn’t close to Penn State’s standard and should handle business relatively easily.

Score Prediction:Penn State 45, Maryland 10

Penn State Record:11-1