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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) /
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PISCATAWAY, NJ – NOVEMBER 17: Trace McSorley #9 of the Penn State Nittany Lions hands off to Miles Sanders #24 against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the second quarter at HighPoint.com Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images)
PISCATAWAY, NJ – NOVEMBER 17: Trace McSorley #9 of the Penn State Nittany Lions hands off to Miles Sanders #24 against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the second quarter at HighPoint.com Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images) /

Dylan Burd, Contributor

After failing to reach a New Year’s Six Bowl, Penn State will play Kentucky in the Citrus Bowl in a game that in my opinion is more significant that one may think.

First of all, this is Trace McSorley’s last college football game. As we know, Trace McSorley is arguably the best quarterback in program history, and a guy that led Penn State to a Big Ten Championship victory in 2016. McSorley has been praised as a winner his whole college career, and there’s no doubt that every Penn State fan would love to see him go out on top. It’s certainly been a rough season for McSorley, who had to deal with a knee injury for the second half of the season, but after over a month of rest, he should look a lot more healthy.

Second of all, Penn State fans had high expectations for this season. Obviously, the season didn’t go as well as planned, as the Nittany Lions suffered three losses, them coming to Ohio State, Michigan State, and Michigan. If Penn State wins, they’ll have 10 wins for a third straight season, something that hasn’t been done by the Nittany Lions since 1980-1982. That’s a huge achievement, and something that is impressive for what every Penn State fan called “a down year.”

However, Penn State’s path to victory isn’t going to be an easy one. Kentucky has a lot to play for as well. The Wildcats are playing in their best bowl game since 1993, where they lost to Clemson in the Peach Bowl. Kentucky has a top-20 defense led by LB Josh Allen, who is likely going to be a top-15 pick in the NFL Draft.

Kentucky plays like an old school football team. They have a great running back in Benny Snell, who ran for 1305 yards and 14 touchdowns this season. They run the clock, and play defense, something that may have been Penn State’s cryptonite late in the season, mainly due to the Nittany Lions ranking 72nd in the FBS in rushing yards allowed per game and Penn State’s offense failing to click towards the end of the season.

dark. Next. Penn State Football: Miles Sanders deserves high praise

Despite the late season struggles on offense, I think that Trace McSorley being healthy will reignite the offense. If McSorley can effectively run the option with Miles Sanders, they can rush a ton on this Kentucky defense, who’s weakness is stopping the run (44th in FBS in rush yards allowed per game).

If Penn State can put 24-27 points on the board, I don’t see Kentucky beating them due to their one dimensional offense.

Penn State: 27
Kentucky: 17

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