Staff Picks: final Penn State Football record and bowl predictions for 2022

Nick Kreiser (co-site expert/editor)

I’ve written all offseason that I am optimistic when it comes to Sean Clifford, who is the most important variable for the Nittany Lions in the 2022 season.

Penn State has already proven that they can reach the 10-2 mark with Clifford under center, so in my eyes, that is a mark that is totally attainable. I truthfully could see a situation play out where this team goes 11-1, because they’re certainly talented enough to do so.

However, it would be naive of me to ignore the past two seasons completely.

The Nittany Lions always seem to lose a game they shouldn’t, and until proven otherwise, it’s a safe bet to assume that will be an annual occurrence.

I do, however, believe that this team will pull off an upset of either Michigan or Ohio State, dropping the other. What I don’t think will happen is another Illinois fiasco. I do believe this team could lose one or two games against teams that they are better than, such as maybe Auburn or Minnesota, but nothing to the extent of that nine-overtime marathon last October.

As for the opener, Purdue is certainly a formidable opponent and one that is good enough to win the Big Ten West, but I suspect the Nittany Lions play well enough in their opener to come away with a win, similar to last year.

Offensively, while I’m skeptical at this point that the line will be a strength, I do think it will improve a noticeable amount. Combine that with the additions of Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, and I think the running game will take a big step forward, which will take some pressure off of Sean Clifford and allow for this offense to take a more balanced approach.

Having one of the best wide receiver units in the Big Ten will also be a big help for this team.

Defensively, I believe that Manny Diaz’s aggressive approach will be a little more hit or miss than Brent Pry’s conservative approach was, but the end result should be relatively similar. With all the exotic pressures and coverages, the defense can force a lot more negative plays and turnovers, but on the flip side, they’ll also be a little more susceptible to getting beat on big plays.

I would put Penn State’s ‘core four’ on defense–PJ Mustipher, Curtis Jacobs, Ji’Ayir Brown, and Joey Porter Jr.–up against the best four defenders on any team in the country.

The pass rush should also improve, but depth on the second level could become an issue as the season wears on.

All in all, a healthy Sean Clifford for 12 games with enough pieces around him–which I believe they have as this could be one of the most talented teams of the James Franklin era–and this team can win a lot of football games and be contenders in the Big Ten East.

Record: 10-2

Bowl Game: Orange Bowl vs Clemson