Penn State Football: Double-digit wins streak decided in Citrus Bowl

For Penn State football to reach win No. 10 and keep the streak alive, it’ll have to stop a rising program in Kentucky at the Citrus Bowl.

A lot can happen if Penn State football comes up with win No. 10 in the bowl season. After a season with playoff or even New Years’ Six Bowl Game aspirations ended at 9-3, a lot can be remedied with a win over Kentucky in the Citrus Bowl.

First and foremost, it’d be just the third time in Penn State’s history that the program achieved 10 or more wins in three or more consecutive season. Also, head coach James Franklin can tone down some of the pressure of a year where many questioned if he’s the leader of the future. Lastly, quarterback Trace McSorley gets to walk off into the sunset as a winner in what will be his final game to show his skill set to NFL scouts.

Standing in the Nittany Lions’ way is a gritty, tough Kentucky squad that is looking to make a statement of its own. Kentucky has reached its third straight bowl game under sixth-year head coach Mark Stoops and has kept an upward trajectory throughout his tenure. The Wildcats boast a dominant run game and defense and will try to pull out a win over the Nittany Lions.

Even with an impressive ground-and-pound approach Penn State has a lot going for itself in the matchup as long as it puts a quality effort together. With a healed up bunch, especially McSorley, this team has the firepower to come out with a much-needed win.

The Wildcats have lived life on the edge much of the year. A fantastic defense that allows 16.2 points per game has bailed out an offense that scores at just 26.6 points per game clip. Sure, the defense is elite, but Penn State simply needs to get on the board and it’ll have a chance at a win.

Even during Penn State’s struggles this year on offense, the unit improved each week after a dismantling against Michigan and ended on a bright note, scoring 38 on Maryland to close out the year.

With a win, it improves Penn State to 32-8 over the last three seasons, a remarkable record and one that’s rivaled by only two other runs in PSU history.