Penn State at Illinois: Prediction Roundtable

Barry Leonard, Co-Site Expert

Penn State has finally started to get it together on offense this season. Over the past two weeks, the Nittany Lions put up 51 points on Pitt and 63 against Kent State. There’s still concern in the passing game, particularly with wide receiver Juwan Johnson, but overall, the unit is clicking.

Senior quarterback Trace McSorley has yet to put up monster numbers throwing the ball, but has been a very dangerous runner and has also been a big part of Penn State’s 3-0 start. Each game is an opportunity for McSorley to make a name for himself and build his Heisman resume. I have no doubt that McSorley will do that this week.

Look for big plays down the field to speedsters KJ Hamler and DeAndre Thompkins en route to a multi-touchdown performance by McSorley.

Speaking of Hamler, I get the feeling that he’s very close to breaking a kick return. I wouldn’t be surprised in the least to see him take a kickoff to the house against Illinois.

Between the trio already mentioned, and running back Miles Sanders, expect a lot of points from the Penn State offense Friday night.

On defense, the Nittany Lions will be tasked with stopping the rushing duo of Mike Epstein and Reggie Corbin. Both players have rushed for over 200 yards so far, and Corbin leads the way with three touchdowns. Stopping the run has been a struggle for Penn State to start the year, so that will be a key in this one.

Fortunately for the Nittany Lions, their offense will put up a lot of points, meaning that Illinois will likely be forced to abandon the run game.

I am suspecting a bit of a slow start for the Nittany Lions in this one due to the fact that the game is on a Friday evening. However, the lull won’t last long, and Penn State will win big.

Penn State 59
Illinois 13