What happens if Penn State Football goes 10-2 in the 2023 season?

No one wants to talk about it but Penn State football could still go 10-2 this season.

The media and some social accounts are showing plenty of love for Penn State as the roster looks absolutely stacked on both sides of the ball.

Many have Penn State to win the Big Ten East and the Big Ten Championship in 2023.

The Heisman caliber quarterback, the offensive line to protect him and push the defense back for the running backs to break free, and the receivers and tight ends that can break ankles and secure the ball in the air and make the moves for yards after the catch.

The elite defensive line has multiple edge rushers that will pressure the quarterback, the interior defensive lineman that will plug the holes and force the opposing offense to throw, the linebackers that will secure the edges and blitz relentlessly, and the secondary to lockdown the receivers forcing the quarterback to make on the dime throws every single time.

What isn’t there to like about the 2023 Penn State Nittany Lions?

Let’s say the Lions win every game except for the Ohio State and Michigan games in 2023.

Of course, we don’t want that to happen but why not just think about it and what the outcome would be?

Let’s say the Lions win every game except for the Ohio State and Michigan games.

Did the Lions lose to Ohio State and Michigan because of play-calling, time management, or just flat-out beat?

If the Lions give 110% effort against Ohio State and Michigan they should come out victorious but why didn’t they in this scenario?

We don’t have a crystal ball but my thought is that the defense won most drives, but the offense struggled to put up points.

The defense has my utmost confidence this season so I may be biased towards the defense, but why shouldn’t I be?

The offense could struggle to find a passing game, it could finish drives in field goals and not touchdowns (which has hurt the Lions in the past.)

Injuries?

Injuries occur all the time in football and are unavoidable for teams, but some teams get the injury bug much worse than others.

Although Penn State looks fantastic on paper, the injury bug could affect the offensive line which creates a domino effect.

If the offensive line gets injured and struggles, that would affect the running game and passing game.

Maybe the quarterback has to get the ball out quicker. Maybe the running backs don’t have holes to run through or a chance to create a play.

Post-season effects?

The fanbase would be on edge before the season even ends probably calling for Franklin’s job as head coach.

Franklin signed a 10-year extension worth over $75 million in 2021, so this is only year two of that massive contract.

According to Sports Illustrated, the buyout for Franklin would be $6 million in 2023, $2 million in 2024, $1 million from 2026 to 2030, and no buyout in 2031.

Although fans would call for the firing, I don’t believe that would happen, especially if the Lions win 10 games and get another New Year’s Six bowl game.

Franklin would still have at least one more season with Allar at quarterback and Singleton and Allen at running back, but of course, the Lions would lose most of the offensive line and a decent amount of the defense.

We can’t forget about the Offensive Coordinator and Defensive Coordinator in this situation.

Diaz had head coaching offers after last season and will most likely have more job offers after 2023.

Win or lose Diaz may be gone after next season anyway so let’s look at Mike Yurcich.

Yurcich left Texas to come to Penn State so why hasn’t he left?

Coordinators usually seek head coaching gigs after the season but Yurcich has decided to stay with Penn State.

But if Penn State goes 10-2 again this season will this be his last season with the Lions?

Most likely he would have to be fired.

His salary is disclosed but we can assume he’s making a decent amount as a coordinator as he was let go by Texas where he was making $1.7 million a year.

Of course, this is all a worst-case scenario for Penn State as I have them finishing 11-1 and making the College Football Playoff.

But it’s never a bad idea to think of both the worst and best-case scenarios when it comes to the teams we cheer for the loudest.