Will Penn State Football return to College Football Playoff hunt in 2021?

Nick Kreiser – Penn State Football contributor

This Penn State football team has talent, as well as depth, at almost every position on the roster.

With a lot of returning production from last season, as well as a great offseason in the transfer portal, these Nittany Lions are poised for a bounce back season. Penn State even made an upgrade at offensive coordinator, by bringing in Mike Yurcich.

One of The Lions’ only looming question marks is with quarterback Sean Clifford.

What will Clifford bring to the table this season, after a lackluster first half of the season last year? Clifford showed in 2019 that he can be a reliable quarterback, and he also turned things around down the stretch last season. So, don’t expect him to replicate what he did in the first five games last season.

Additionally, this is the best offensive line that Penn State Football has had in the James Franklin era. This team will also be able to run the ball effectively with a stable of talented backs. Plus, they have a great group of wide receivers led by Jahan Dotson, who is one of the best in the country.

Defensively, this team has stars at every level; Arnold Ebiketie at defensive end, Brandon Smith at linebacker, and Jaquan Brisker at safety.

This team does have a tough schedule, and will be tested in many of their games. Their two hiccups along the way will likely come against Wisconsin and Ohio State. If the Wisconsin matchup was later in the season, I would feel better about that game.

Look for this team to rebound and find themselves once again reaching double digit wins and being in a New Years Six bowl game.