Penn State Football: Predicting the outcome of the Fiesta Bowl

Penn State football faces off against the tough defense of Washington in the Fiesta Bowl.

After the long wait and all of the previewing, the Fiesta Bowl is finally upon us. In just one day the Nittany Lions will take the field in Arizona against the Washington Huskies. It’s been a month of change in Happy Valley, but the product on the field should look similar to the one that finished the regular season with a solid record of 10-2.

Offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead is off to Mississippi State, as is running back coach Charles Huff. Tight ends coach Ricky Rahne, who served as the interim offensive coordinator in the TaxSlayer Bowl two years ago, has officially taken over the reigns of the potent Penn State offense.

Both Washington and Penn State were hoping for bigger things this season, as the Huskies made the College Football Playoff a year ago, and Penn State was just on the outside looking in. However, tough losses took away any hopes of a CFP appearance this season for either team.

What is left is an interesting matchup in the Fiesta Bowl. The Nittany Lions enter with an offense that can put up a ton of points in a hurry, while the Huskies made their living this year with one of the best defenses in the nation.

Saquon Barkley, despite his Heisman finalist snub, is one of the best running backs in all of college football. He’ll face a colossal test in what could be his final collegiate game. Washington boasts a defensive line loaded with talent and the nation’s top defense against the run.

It’s bowl season, so that means anything could happen. Both teams will be looking to end 2017 on a high note.

The VBR staff returns for the final time this season to present it’s fearless predictions for the Fiesta Bowl.