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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: Running back Miles Sanders #24 of the Penn State Nittany Lions rushes the football against the Washington Huskies during the second half of the Playstation Fiesta Bowl 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: Running back Miles Sanders #24 of the Penn State Nittany Lions rushes the football against the Washington Huskies during the second half of the Playstation Fiesta Bowl 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) /

Collin Wieder, Site Co-Expert

Penn  State football has a quality, competitive opening opponent this season in Appalachian State. The mid-major program is 37-14 since the Mountaineers returned to the FBS in 2014. Their blend of power running, efficient passing and swarming defense ended in a 3-0 bowl record.

Early on, Penn State might have to find its rhythm like all teams in the opening game. Luckily for the team, the offense has a great two-year returning starter in quarterback Trace McSorley to headline a lightning-quick attack.

His dual threat ability and rapport with Juwan Johnson, DeAndre Thompkins, Brandon Polk and a new cast of playmakers will help Penn State score 40-plus on App State. Defensively, the Nittany Lions will shutdown the run game with a stout defensive line. Shareef Miller, Yetur Gross-Matos, Kevin Givens and Robert Windsor return to stifle run games. The four surrendered just 3.4 yards per carry.

A high-scoring offense mixed with a hard-nosed, experienced defense will win the day for Penn State. I expect a close game in the first few quarters and a dominant second half for a nice non-conference win.

Penn State 45

Appalachian State 21

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