Penn State football 2024 regular-season record predictions from Lions247 (2024)

MARK BRENNAN (X: @MarkXBrennan)

COMMENT: You might be surprised to learn of the overwhelming odds ESPN's Football Power Index gives No. 8 Penn State to win most of its games in 2024. Even the lone projected loss — to perennial thorn in the side Ohio State — is by the slimmest of margins. But that's computer-generated mumbo jumbo. While I'm sure the Lions have the talent to run the regular-season table, I'll believe they can get past the Buckeyes when I see it for myself.A trip to USC should be concerning to PSU fans, as well. Under James Franklin, the Lions have never ventured even half that far for a middle-of-the-season game. Beware of paralysis by analysis in the way the program approaches that journey.

PREDICTION: 10-2

PLAYOFF BID: Yes

2023 PREDICTION: 11-1

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TYLER DONOHUE (X: @TDsTake)

COMMENT: A season-defining three-game span (at USC, at Wisconsin, vs. Ohio State) awaits Penn State starting in mid-October but an upcoming trip to Morgantown is a quality initial litmus test. Considering there are three new coordinators, three new starting offensive linemen and established standouts in new spots (Abdul Carter at defensive end; Jaylen Reed at the Lion position), it's perhaps more difficult than at any point post-COVID to predict precisely how this team will function, especially out of the gate. But I do know this — PSU possesses a depth of athletic skill and coaching talent that's as good as it's ever been under James Franklin. That outlook regarding the roster and staff, combined with College Football Playoff expansion, creates genuine expectations for a potential first-round home game come December. We didn't witness any 11-on-11 work this month during our glimpses at practice, and until my own eyes see clear progression from the passing attack, I'm hesitant to put two feet on the bandwagon in forecasting a 12-0 or even 11-1 campaign. I believe by November the defense will measure up closely to what we saw in 2023. If the offense is buzzing by then, this squad can take the Big Ten title.

PREDICTION: 10-2

PLAYOFF BID: Yes

2023 PREDICTION: 11-1

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DANIEL GALLEN (X: @danieljtgallen)

COMMENT: Does Penn State finally break through into the College Football Playoff? Yes. Did it take the CFP expanding to 12 teams, along with the Big Ten expanding to 18 teams and restructuring its schedule? Also yes. Is it still a big deal for the program? Definitely. Penn State is well-positioned to break through into the postseason for the first time this fall. The talent is there on both sides of the ball. The schedule lines up nicely. There are some questions, such as how Drew Allar progresses in his second year as a starter, whether the wide receiver group can take a step forward and — you have to squint a bit — how the depth at defensive end and linebacker holds up this season. There are still some tricky spots in the schedule for a team with three new coordinators to navigate, so it wouldn't be a surprise if there are some stumbles. But in the era of the expanded playoff, the Nittany Lions will no longer be on the outside looking in.

PREDICTION: 10-2

PLAYOFF BID: Yes

2023 PREDICTION: 11-1

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TYLER CALVARUSO (X: @tyler_calvaruso)

COMMENT: Penn State once again realistically has the talent to compete for a Big Ten title and a spot in the expanded College Football Playoff. Andy Kotelnicki's offense will be the X-factor. How do the wide receivers perform in a system that figures to be able to get Penn State's playmakers the ball in more creative ways and how does Drew Allar take to the scheme? Those are the main sticking points I'll be focusing on since I'm sold on the backfield duo of Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton, as well as the talent on defense with Tom Allen now calling the shots. West Virginia to start the season won't be easy and there are a couple of potential slip-up spots in Big Ten play, but I like Penn State to once again reach double-digit wins and, for the first time, find itself in the College Football Playoff.

PREDICTION: 11-1

PLAYOFF BID: Yes

2023 PREDICTION: 11-1

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BRIAN DOHN (X: @BrianDohn247)

COMMENT: Penn State gets right into a tough game against West Virginia, but get past that and the next game of note should be at USC in mid-October. The three-game stretch of USC, Wisconsin and Ohio State will determine whether or not the Nittany Lions make it into the expanded college football playoff.

PREDICTION: 10-2

PLAYOFF BID: Yes

2023 PREDICTION: 10-2

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GRACE BRENNAN (X: @GracexBrennan)

COMMENT: Looking at this team the first word that comes to mind is "attitude." The Nittany Lions have made it clear that they have their sights set on using their talent to do something big. This team has players ready to make explosive plays on every front, but the season won't be without its obstacles. A new set of coordinators, some major roster changes and facing new foes all have the potential to delay things coming together. But the Nittany Lions will also be coming into the season with a new set of strengths, one of the most important being, of course, their attitude. If they can attack obstacles this fall with the same confidence they've shown in the pre-season they'll turn road-blocks into blips. I think they have the potential to slip up at least once during the regular season, but the new 12-team playoff should work in their favor.

PREDICTION: 11-1

PLAYOFF BID: Yes

2023 PREDICTION: NA

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COMMENT: We decided to have a little fun here and let the new EA Sports video game decide how things were going to go. And the virtual results line up with some of the real-life expectations for the Nittany Lions. In this simulation, Penn State finished the year with a 10-2 overall record and 7-2 mark in the Big Ten — the lone blemishes were a 53-51 loss at USC and a 28-13 home defeat to Ohio State — to earn the No. 6 seed in the College Football Playoff and the right to host Utah in a first-round game. In the simulation, Drew Allar threw for nearly 3,000 yards and 30 touchdowns, Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen combined for 1,500 yards and 14 touchdowns, and KJ Winston was a second-team All-American. Unfortunately for the virtual Nittany Lions, the CFP run was short-lived: Utah came into Beaver Stadium and won, 31-28, behind 364 yards and three touchdowns from Heisman winner Cam Rising. (Oregon beat Alabama for the national championship and Penn State finished the year ranked No. 7 in the final Top 25). — Daniel Gallen

PREDICTION: 10-2

PLAYOFF BID: Yes

2023 PREDICTION: NA

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KEITH "GOON" CONLIN (X: @KeithConlin)

COMMENT: Can't get over that head-to-head hump that is known as OSU again. Gotta go about it a different way, and that is through the playoffs. Good schedule for the Lions so sky is the limit. Get to Big Ten title game versus … you guessed it. Regular-season record will be 11-1. Play-in playoff game at Beaver Stadium Dec. 21, and it will be the greatest day in PSU tailgate history. Big year!

PREDICTION: 11-1

PLAYOFF BID: Yes

2023 PREDICTION: 11-1

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EDOO1

COMMENT: There is a buzz around Penn State being a more balanced team due to Andy Kotelnicki's new offense. The Lions will not skip a beat with Tom Allen as the new defensive coordinator, and I expect he will actually adjust better against teams that try to run it down their throats. With a multitude of offensive weapons at his disposal, Drew Allar will be able to spread the ball around to playmakers and the Lions will be more prepared to win an offensive shootout. Staying healthy is always the key.

PREDICTION: 11-1

PLAYOFF BID: Yes

2023 PREDICTION: 10-2

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MARK HARRINGTON (Lions247 Handle: PlaybookMark)

COMMENT: This isn't your father's Big Ten anymore. The West Coast foursome adds a new dimension to the conference and new challenges for Penn State. This team has the same questions coming off last year. How far can Drew Allar take the Lions, and if he struggles will the coaches actually opt for Beau Pribula? The revamped offense under Andy Kotelnicki should be interesting to see, as should the defense under Tom Allen. On paper, this team should set up like a typical edition of James Franklin football — struggle with the Buckeyes and handle the rest of the conference with a trip-up against a team it should handle.

PREDICTION: 10-2

PLAYOFF BID: Yes

2023 PREDICTION: 11-1

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SCOTT COLE (Lions247 Handle:Psu96)

COMMENT: The 2024 schedule has some big name teams on it in the new-look Big Ten, but Penn State may be catching those teams at exactly the right time. Washington has a new coaching staff and needs to replace a ton of talent lost to graduation and transfers from last year's CFP team. Wisconsin is turning to another transfer portal QB to try and jump start its lethargic Air Raid offense. USC has less elite talent than usual, and there are big questions about how their defense can hold up in the Big Ten. UCLA has been mediocre for a while now and doesn't look ready to be a Big Ten contender right away. Meanwhile, Penn State has more talent on hand than any team in the conference aside from Ohio State and possibly Oregon. I expect new coordinator Andy Kotelnicki to unlock the offense's true potential this season. The defense will once again be fierce, and the special teams units solid and experienced. This is the year to make a playoff run.

PREDICTION: 11-1

PLAYOFF BID: Yes

2023 PREDICTION: 11-1

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NIRAV DALAL (Lions247 Handle:PlaybookNirav)

COMMENT: There are elements of this schedule that are very favorable for PSU as long as the offense lives up to messaging that it will be better. OSU has the Lions' number and I'm not quite throwing tomatoes at Lincoln Riley like the rest of the country. We'll know about USC pretty soon andthat'sthe only other danger spot that I see on the calendar.Much is made about James Franklin losing to Michigan and Ohio State, and it's warranted. But not enough is being made about him dominating everyone else the last few years.That continues this season.

PREDICTION: 11-1

PLAYOFF BID: Yes

2023 PREDICTION: 11-1

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DONOVAN NEAL (Lions247 Handle: PSUMtnBike)

COMMENT: With a schedule that doesn't include Oregon and Michigan, it's hard to imagine Penn State not winning at least 10 games and making the playoff this year. The defense looks stout and much improvement is expected from a revamped offense.

PREDICTION: 11-1

PLAYOFF BID: Yes

2023 PREDICTION: 11-1

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TOM HOFFMAN (Lions247 Handle: underscoreTom)

COMMENT: Once again the schedule sets up to make a run, and this year with no Michigan. While 2024 may be a season to have Michigan and skip Ohio State, it's still some relief from past years. But also once again (or so it feels), Penn State is breaking in a new offense with a new coordinator. I think the schedule fits well to make a run as long as PSU can adjust to new travel schedules for the West Coast game.

PREDICTION: 11-1

PLAYOFF BID: Yes

2023 PREDICTION: 11-1

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ROB RIVA (Lions247 Handle: rriva)

COMMENT: I'lljoin the chorus of pundits who note that there is probably not another team in the country that will benefit more from the College Football Playoff expansion to 12 teams than Penn State. I expect some early season growing pains on breaking in a new offense, but it's easy to understand the excitement on that side of the ball. Defense should remain a strong point for the Nittany Lions, including depth at pretty much every position.

PREDICTION: 10-2

PLAYOFF BID: Yes

2023 PREDICTION: 11-1

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Vote on Penn State's final 2024 regular-season record:

NAME: RECORD/PLAYOFF

STAFF

Mark Brennan: 10-2/Yes

Tyler Donohue: 10-2/Yes

Daniel Gallen: 10-2/Yes

Tyler Calvaruso: 11-1/Yes

Brian Dohn: 10-2/Yes

Grace Brennan: 11-1/Yes

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GUEST PICKERS

EA Sports College Football 25: 10-2/Yes

Keith "Goon" Conlin: 11-1/Yes

Ed001: 11-1/Yes

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CONTRIBUTORS

Mark Harrington: 10-2/Yes

Scott Cole: 11-1/Yes

Nirav Dalal: 11-1/Yes

Donovan Neal: 11-1/Yes

Tom Hoffman: 11-1/Yes

Rob Riva: 10-2/Yes

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