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Three potential trap games for Penn State Football in 2022

By Nick Kreiser

STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 23: Sean Clifford #14 of the Penn State Nittany Lions is chased out of the pocket by Owen Carney Jr. #99 of the Illinois Fighting Illini during the second half at Beaver Stadium on October 23, 2021 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 23: Sean Clifford #14 of the Penn State Nittany Lions is chased out of the pocket by Owen Carney Jr. #99 of the Illinois Fighting Illini during the second half at Beaver Stadium on October 23, 2021 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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The Penn State Football season kicks off in less than five weeks, and the Nittany Lions are poised to take a big step forward, so many of us are anxious to see if they can reach double-digit wins once again.

However, there are going to be some matchups this season that, for one reason or another, could act as trap games for James Franklin’s squad.

We were reminded last season that no opponent should be taken lightly, but that fact remains that there are still some games that could almost be penciled in as wins at this point.

On the surface, these games might not look too difficult, but if you peel back some layers, you’ll find that the following are three potential trap games for Penn State Football in 2022.

Penn State Football vs Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – NOVEMBER 09: Wide receiver Tyler Johnson #6 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers makes a reception in front of cornerback Keaton Ellis #2 of the Penn State Nittany Lions before scoring a touchdown during the second quarter at TCFBank Stadium on November 09, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – NOVEMBER 09: Wide receiver Tyler Johnson #6 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers makes a reception in front of cornerback Keaton Ellis #2 of the Penn State Nittany Lions before scoring a touchdown during the second quarter at TCFBank Stadium on November 09, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

It feels strange calling the White Out a trap game, but it very well could be.

Sandwiched between a trip to Ann Arbor and a showdown against Ohio State, this is a game that could get away from the Nittany Lions if they’re not focused on the task at hand.

Depending on how the season is going to this point, this game gets even more intriguing.

For example, if Penn State is 5-1 to that point and everything is still on the table when the Buckeyes roll into Happy Valley the following week, this game could get overlooked.

How would the Nittany Lions respond from the high of a scenario where they go into The Big House and knock off the Wolverines the week prior?

Energy is always a given for the White Out, from the fans and the players, so that isn’t something to worry about; but what about the energy and focus earlier in the week?

Ultimately, Minnesota is going to be a good team in 2022, but one that the Nittany Lions certainly should beat. However, this game falls at a bad spot on the schedule, making it a potential trap game for Penn State Football.

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