Victory Bell Rings
Fansided

Penn State Football: Predictions for the Citrus Bowl

By Barry Leonard Jr.

STATE COLLEGE, PA - NOVEMBER 24: Pat Freiermuth #87 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates with KJ Hamler #1 after scoring a touchdown against the Maryland Terrapins during the second half at Beaver Stadium on November 24, 2018 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - NOVEMBER 24: Pat Freiermuth #87 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates with KJ Hamler #1 after scoring a touchdown against the Maryland Terrapins during the second half at Beaver Stadium on November 24, 2018 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 5
Next
STATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 27: Miles Sanders #24 of Penn State football rushes against Riley Moss #33 of the Iowa Hawkeyes on October 27, 2018 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 27: Miles Sanders #24 of Penn State football rushes against Riley Moss #33 of the Iowa Hawkeyes on October 27, 2018 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Can Penn State football pick up a bowl victory over an SEC foe?

It seems like it has been forever, but in reality, it’s only been a little over a month since we’ve seen Penn State football in action. Well, after all the waiting, the time is finally here. The Nittany Lions are in Orlando and ready to due battle with the Kentucky Wildcats in the Citrus Bowl.

Penn State was coming off of back-to-back appearances in a New Year’s Six bowl game before failing to make a big bowl this year. The Nittany Lions had high expectations in 2018, but suffered some unexpected slip-ups along the way. Three conference losses in total meant that Penn State would miss out on a New Year’s Six bowl this season.

However, the Citrus Bowl — thought of as the best game after the New Year’s Six — is a nice consolation prize.

For Penn State, the Citrus Bowl will be the final game for quarterback Trace McSorley. The senior will already go down as one of the best quarterbacks in Penn State history. He’ll look to finish his collegiate career with a second bowl win and a third-straight 10-win season.

Kentucky was one of the biggest surprises this year, as the Wildcats surprised a lot of teams in the SEC. They knocked off the likes of Florida and Mississippi State and have the luxury of the services of Josh Allen, one of the best defensive players in the entire country. The Wildcats allowed less than 20 points per game this year and used a tough defense to win games.

Offense could be the weakness for Kentucky, but they do have a talented running back in Benny Snell. However the Wildcats may not have enough to keep up with the Nittany Lions.

Kickoff for the Citrus Bowl is set for 1:00 p.m. on New Year’s Day. Read on to find out the VBR staff’s fearless predictions.

Home/Penn State Football