Newsstand: Breaking down Penn State's best & worst case scenarios this upcoming season
Happy Friday, Penn State fans. We’re now just 15 days out from the Nittany Lions kicking off against West Virginia in Beaver Stadium. In this morning’s newsstand, we take a closer look at ESPN’s best and worse-case scenarios for Penn State heading into the 2023 season. The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman also opened up more about PSU’s depth of talent this season and how many players could’ve made his freak list.
Penn State Tweets of the Day
Penn State fans have been waiting for this moment since the end of Saquon Barkley era. That, of course, was the last time the Nittany Lions were in the position they’re in today when it comes to national expectations. No matter where you look, people everywhere are pointing to Penn State as a breakout candidate in 2023.
On Thursday, ESPN dropped its best and worst case scenarios for this year’s team. As most fans would expect, the words College Football Playoffs is where it all starts. Below is Heather Dinich’s thoughts on the Nittany Lions this season.
Best case: College Football Playoff semifinal. If Penn State can finish as a one-loss Big Ten champion, it would be extremely difficult for the selection committee to snub the Nittany Lions — but that means they have to at least beat either Ohio State or Michigan and force a three-way tie in the Big Ten East. Even then it isn’t a guarantee, because Penn State’s nonconference schedule against West Virginia, Delaware and UMass is going to be heavily scrutinized by the committee. Without more Big Ten opponents in the CFP top 25 ranking, Penn State’s best opportunities will remain against Ohio State and Michigan. If they only get one of those wins, the Nittany Lions better look the part of a top-four team every other step of the way.
Link: Manny Diaz previews 2023 season on Adam Breneman podcast
Worst case: 9-3 with losses to Ohio State, Michigan and Maryland. Considering this was an 11-win team last year, there shouldn’t be much of a drop-off with so much talent returning on both sides of the ball. It’s also the first time since 2019 Penn State has had both coordinators return for a second season. Since 2013, Penn State has faced both Ohio State and Michigan every season and has never gone 2-0 against them, only defeating the Buckeyes once during that span. The third loss might be a surprise to everyone but Maryland, which will have home-field advantage Nov. 4 and has been quietly making significant strides under coach Mike Locksley.
In other news, On3’s Andy Staples welcomed Bruce Feldman on his podcast this week to discuss the six Penn State players who made this year’s freaks list. Feldman admitted that sources inside Penn State’s program compare Nick Singleton to Adrian Peterson. Not bad.
He also went on to add that he could’ve potentially added more players but didn’t feel right having as many as nine Nittany Lions on this year’s list.
Click the link below to watch the complete podcast.
Headlines
Taking stock of Penn State’s green-yellow-red situation through two weeks of camp: Fitz, BWI
Penn State basketball coach Mike Rhoades, broadcaster Steve Jones visit alumni at season kickoff event: Hopkins, PennLive
2025 for-star TE Nate Roberts is back on the market and visits are being locked in: Simmons, On3
Penn State’s Terry Smith likes the depth of the Lions’ CB room: Flounders, PennLive
Clock rules don’t change much for Mike Yurcich: Jones, StateCollege.com
Voice of Penn State wrestling hopes to revive State College’s local sports talk: Hockensmith, PennLive
Quote of the Day
“I love my job, and that’s the first thing. And I tell people all the time when they ask for advice in this profession, I always ask them, ‘Are you happy?’ I tell them if you’re happy, don’t mess with happy. Happy’s hard to beat.”
– Manny Diaz to Adam Breneman on potentially becoming a head coach again
