Way-too-early B1G win totals: How will Penn State Football fare in 2021?

It is never to early for a way-too-early look at each teams schedule in the Big Ten and predicting how each team will fare next fall 

Spring football is ramping up across the country while a few schools have already hosted spring games which is a welcomed sight after a year hiatus from spring games due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Penn State Football is in the throes of their spring workouts, as well.

Depth charts and position battles will begin to see some clarity as the calendar turns to April for Penn State Football and the rest of their conference foes.

Outside of Ohio State and maybe Indiana, no team in the Big Ten was especially impressive last season as the conference was mostly mediocre, however a lot of that could easily be blamed on the commissioners office as football was delayed, cancelled and then ultimately put back on.

Players opted out, opted back in and it made an ever wonkier offseason even crazier, which will make us all that much more grateful for what should be a return to normalcy in the fall of 2021.

Let’s take a way-too-early crack at win-loss predictions for all Big Ten teams in 2021, including Penn State Football’s total: 

Illinois Fighting Illini

The Illini will be led by new head coach Bret Bielema this season after they fired head coach Lovie Smith on the heels of last seasons 2-6 record.

The Illini face a tricky non-conference trip to Virginia in week 2 but should have no problems with home games against UTSA and Charlotte which should serve as freebie wins.

In conference, the schedule gets especially tough later in the season when the Illini hit the road in three out of four weeks for games at Penn State Football, Iowa and Minnesota.

Home games against Nebraska, Rutgers and Maryland will be must wins if Illinois has any aspirations of competing in the Big Ten West race.

Prediction: 4-8