Penn State vs Rutgers: Prediction roundtable

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STATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 21: Saquon Barkley /

Can Penn State finally get back on track this week when Rutgers comes to town?

To say its been a rough two weeks for Penn State would be a grave understatement. The last time the Nittany Lions were in front of a Beaver Stadium crowd they had just dominated Michigan and were about to move to No. 2 in the country. Unfortunately, the good vibes from that October night didn’t last long.

Penn State went out to Columbus as an underdog and blew a lead with under two minutes to go in the game. That disastrous ending was followed up by last week’s debacle in East Lansing. After starting the game with a 14-7 lead midway through the second quarter Mother Nature struck and caused a weather delay that lasted over three hours. By the time the long day was done, Penn State had suffered its second straight conference loss — again losing a fourth-quarter lead.

So what’s in store for the Nittany Lions this week?

More from Victory Bell Rings

Fortunately, the schedule makers felt some mercy for Penn State after the brutal three-game stretch it just went through. The remaining three games, two at which are home, bring Rutgers, Nebraska, and Maryland. The final stretch of the regular season starts this week with the Scarlet Knights.

Rutgers — a doormat for other Big Ten teams since joining — is on a hot streak coming into this one. The Scarlet Knights have won three of their last four games and have racked up more conference wins (three) than in the last two years combined.

Don’t worry though. This is still Rutgers, and a very banged up Rutgers at that. Penn State has been unbeatable at home this year, so this week has the making of an excellent bounce-back opportunity written all over it.

Most of the VBR staff has taken a beating with predictions over the last two weeks. Fortunately, it’s Rutgers Week, and that means a great shot at redemption.

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