Penn State Football: Predicting the outcome of the Fiesta Bowl

Co-Site Expert Barry Leonard Jr.

There’s no doubt that the Penn State offense will be heavily tested against the Washington defense. Particularly, the offensive line, which struggled at times this season, will face its most difficult challenge against Vita Vea and the vaunted Washington defensive line.

However, for as good as Washington is up front, the defensive backfield can be beat. With so much attention being paid to running back Saquon Barkley, Trace McSorley will have a great opportunity to put up big numbers in the passing game. He’ll use the likes of DaeSean Hamilton, Mike Gesicki and Juwan Johnson to make big plays down the field.

Barkley, though he will likely be slowed on the ground, will look to put up big numbers in his potential last collegiate game. Don’t be surprised to see Barkley make an electric play as a kick returner and he could be one of the top receivers in the game for the Nittany Lions.

Penn State’s defense will need to stop the Washington passing attack and quarterback Jake Browning. If the defensive line can continue to play the way it did in the final few games of the season then Browning could have little time to throw the ball.

Head coach James Franklin has heard the criticism that he has been unable to win a big game away from Beaver Stadium. This will be his opportunity to not only do that, but to make up for the disappointment from last season’s Rose Bowl.

This game will be close in the first half, but I’m expecting the Nittany Lions to pull away in the fourth quarter and continue their success they’ve had throughout the years playing in the Fiesta Bowl.

Penn State 35
Washington 21