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Penn State Football 2021 game-by-game predictions

By Alec Whitaker

Jul 22, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin speaks to the media during Big 10 media days at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 22, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin speaks to the media during Big 10 media days at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Penn State Football
Jahan Dotson #5 of the Penn State Nittany Lions (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Week 7: Penn State Football vs. Illinois

Penn State finsihed off the 2020 season with a big win over Illinois, 56-21. It was a feel good end to a tough season for the Nittany Lions.

The Fighting Illini will return to  Beaver Stadium again this year, but under new leadership with coach Brett Bielema. This should be a tougher Illinois team than the one Penn State faced last December.

By the time Penn State faced the Illini last season, their roster had been decimated by injuries and Covid protocol. They were also dealing with the firing of coach Lovie Smith. Fast forward a year, and the outlook is a little brighter.

Starting quarterback Brandon Peters is back, he did not play against Penn State last year. A talented running back duo of Chase Brown and Mike Epstein will share time next to Peters in the backfield.

On defense, defensive end Owen Carney Jr. returns for one more season. He was one of the more productive pass rushers in the conference last season, tallying five sacks. The rest of the defense is a bit suspect, as they gave up an average of 34.9 points per game last season.

Illinois will no doubt be improved, but not improved enough to steal a win in Beaver Stadium.

Penn State Football 41 Illinois 17

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