Penn State Football Prediction Roundtable: How Many More Wins Will the Nittany Lions Get?

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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How many more wins will the Penn State football team pick up in the final six games of 2016?

When the Penn State football season began there were several question marks. Some of those question marks are even bigger now thanks to injury. Still, the team has battled back, especially after getting crushed 49-10 against the Michigan Wolverines.

With back-to-back wins over undefeated conference foes, the Nittany Lions enter this week’s bye with an overall record of 4-2.

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There are six games remaining in the regular season. See how many wins the VBR staff things the Nittany Lions will pick up.

Site Expert Barry Leonard Jr.

The Nittany Lions currently have four wins, and that’s probably two more than many thought they’d have after the debacle in Ann Arbor.

However, the decimated defense has started to step up. The unit played very well against Maryland last week and carries a lot of momentum into next week’s battle with Ohio State. On offense, quarterback Trace McSorley has already grown into a leader and looks more comfortable now running Joe Moorhead’s new offense.

As for the remains games, the White Out against the Buckeyes will be extremely difficult. The crowd and momentum will help to keep it close, but ultimately the Nittany Lions will likely fall.

Fortunately, games against Purdue, Iowa, Indiana, Rutgers and Michigan State all look winnable at this point in time. I’d predict a stumble somewhere in there, meaning the Nittany Lions will finish with four more wins for a total of eight on the season.

Contributor Shane Lunnen

Two weeks ago, Penn State’s season could have gone downhill quick. After a comeback overtime win against Minnesota and a dominating performance against Maryland, the season, for the time being, is back on track.

The back half of the season starts with a White Out game versus Ohio State. Unless things bounce just right in that game, the Lions will probably come away with a loss. It would be nice if they would show more fight than they did against Michigan earlier in the season. The remaining five games are all manageable, especially now with Iowa and Michigan State taking steps back this season and both of those games are in Happy Valley. Besides Ohio State, Indiana on the road could be Penn State’s toughest test left.

I’ll go with four wins in the last six games, which is sticking with my original preseason prediction of 8-4. Nine wins would be outstanding, but I see them losing one of the games against Indiana, Iowa or Michigan State.

Contributor Marty Leap

Penn State’s remaining schedule does not look nearly as daunting as it did before the season. Yes, the Buckeyes are still looming. However, the rest of their games appear very winnable.

Neither Iowa nor Michigan State are as good as their preseason top 15 rankings. But Indiana appears better than originally thought. Honestly, Ohio State aside, I believe Indiana is Penn State’s most difficult game left.

On top of Iowa and Michigan State looking more beatable than originally thought, Penn State’s offense has also been better than anyone could have ever hoped for. Trace McSorley is second in the Big Ten in passing yards, while Saquon Barkley leads he conference in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, and total touchdowns. Additionally, the Nittany Lions lead the conference in plays of 30+ yards.

Ultimately, I believe the Nittany Lions go 5-1 in their final six regular season games. I look for the Nittany Lions to lose to Ohio State next Saturday, win their final 5, and finish the season at 9-3. Their first nine-win season since 2011.

Contributor Corey Hunter

With six games remaining in the regular season, Penn State has relatively manageable schedule.

Outside of Ohio State, which the Nittany Lions open with post-bye, the remaining games are certainly within their reach.

Intriguing matchups with Iowa and Michigan State, who are both down this year, will be at Happy Valley. Away games remain at Purdue, Indiana, and Rutgers.

From the remaining games, I expect the Lions to lose against Ohio State. I also think they trip up at Indiana and in the home finale against Michigan State. That puts the Lions at 3-3 over their last six contests.

Overall, PSU finishes the year at 7-5.

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