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Penn State vs Appalachian State: Prediction Roundtable

By Barry Leonard Jr.

STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 25: A general view of Beaver Stadium during the game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Penn State Nittany Lions on October 25, 2014 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 25: A general view of Beaver Stadium during the game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Penn State Nittany Lions on October 25, 2014 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – DECEMBER 30: (L-R) Grant Haley #15, Nick Scott #4, head coach James Franklin, Marcus Allen #2 and Troy Apke #28 of the Penn State Nittany Lions walk out to field arm in arm before the start of the second half of the Playstation Fiesta Bowl against the Washington Huskies at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Nittany Lions defeated the Huskies 35-28. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – DECEMBER 30: (L-R) Grant Haley #15, Nick Scott #4, head coach James Franklin, Marcus Allen #2 and Troy Apke #28 of the Penn State Nittany Lions walk out to field arm in arm before the start of the second half of the Playstation Fiesta Bowl against the Washington Huskies at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Nittany Lions defeated the Huskies 35-28. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Barry Leonard, Site Co-Expert

When a new college football season begins, it’s typical for teams to go through a bit of an adjustment and feeling-out process. Slow starts are commonplace in Week 1. Fortunately, I’m not expecting that at all for Penn State.

The Nittany Lions, led by senior quarterback Trace McSorley, should be ready to go from the start.

I’m expecting the offense to come out firing. McSorley will look to get the ball downfield to his talented receivers. Of course, new No. 1 receiver Juwan Johnson will get his looks, but so will redshirt freshmen speedsters Mac Hippenhammer and KJ Hamler.

Of course, not seeing No. 26 in the Penn State backfield will take some getting used to. Junior Miles Sanders will finally get his chance to shine and show why he was the top running back when he came out of high school. Look for Sanders to find the end zone at least twice on Saturday.

On defense, several new starters will be called upon. Appalachian State doesn’t present a major challenge, so the game represents a chance for the younger guys to gain some valuable experience.

One of the biggest things to look for Saturday will be the play of true freshman Micah Parsons. One of the most recruited players in the 2018 class, Parsons has an excellent opportunity to make his mark at linebacker early.

Penn State shouldn’t have much trouble in this one. Appalachian State will be looking for a repeat of the 2007 upset against Michigan, but it’s not going to happen. Behind a big day from the offense, the Nittany Lions win this big.

Penn State 42
Appalachian State 17

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