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Penn State Football’s 2021 schedule: Ranking Nittany Lions’ toughest games

By Lawrence Santa Maria

Head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates with Brenton Strange #86(Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates with Brenton Strange #86(Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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Auburn Football
Bo Nix #10 of the Auburn Tigers(Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /

4. Auburn

This is may be the most intriguing game on Penn State Football’s schedule next season, as Auburn is the biggest non-conference opponent to make the trip to State College since Alabama in 2011.

The Tigers will do so with a new head coach, former Boise State lead man Bryan Harsin, but will still have highly touted quarterback Bo Nix and a vaunted defense. Auburn was young on the defensive side of the ball in 2020 but should be much improved next year and may present the most physical challenge for the Nittany Lions offensive line all season.

Auburn finished 6-5 after dropping the Citrus Bowl to Northwestern and really struggled on the offensive side of the ball. The Tigers did however suffer three of those losses to Georgia, Alabama and Texas AM who were all ranked in the top 5 at the time of their matchup.

This figures to be a ‘white out’ environment in Beaver Stadium, and could be a low scoring, physical football game.

A win here would do wonders to bolster the Nittany Lions’ Playoff resume.

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