Is Penn State Football poised to take a big step forward in 2022?

After consecutive disappointing seasons, the Penn State fanbase is eager to see their Nittany Lions take a big step forward in 2022 and get back to being the top 15 team they were in the four years prior.

According to a recent article by 247 Sports, Penn State Football is a team that is poised to take a big step forward in the upcoming season.

There were eight teams in total on the list, with the two most notable being a pair of recent National Champions in LSU and Clemson. Then there was a team like Nebraska, who although they have a proud history, went just 3-9 last year and is looking for that “big step forward” to be a winning record that would secure bowl eligibility.

The point is, taking a big step forward has different meanings for different programs, as all are at different points. For Clemson, they hope to get back into the College Football Playoff and competing for a National Title.

But what would be big step forward for the Nittany Lions?

Considering they finished last season with a 7-6 record, a double-digit win total would likely equate as a big step forward.

The next question is: is 247 Sports right? Can Penn State Football, after taking a few steps back, take another step forward and be a top 15 team once again?

The short answer is yes.

There are certainly some obvious and understandable question marks, the two most notable being coaching and quarterback play. However, James Franklin and Sean Clifford have already proven they can go 11-2 together, despite the performance of each being inconsistent the past couple years.

Clifford mentioned during Big Ten media days that in the first offseason with a new offense, you’re learning that system, but in the second, you can master that system. So with him and the rest of the offense hopefully being more prepared from a schematic standpoint, that will really help this team in the win column.

A solid trio of experienced tight ends and two of the best wide receivers in the country is going to be helpful as well.

Plus, a pair of outstanding true freshman running backs should help the ground game to improve, along with some promising young offensive linemen.

Defensively, Penn State Football needs to replace a plethora of highly productive players, but also return an elite “core four” of PJ Mustipher, Curtis Jacobs, Ji’Ayir Brown, and Joey Porter Jr. Combine them with some young players who have bright futures, such as Kalen King, Demeioun Robinson, and Dani Dennis-Sutton, and this defense shouldn’t miss a beat.

For those reasons, as well as some others, I don’t see any reason why the Nittany Lions can’t take a big step forward in 2022.