Well, the first 7 weeks of the season have not gone as we’d all hoped.
The Lions sit at 3-4, and are winless in conference play. Riding a 4-game skid that most recently included a 1-point loss to Iowa on the
road, Penn State now gets to head west to take on #1 Ohio State. I personally would be shocked if the Lions keep it within 3 scores.
Then, #2 Indiana comes to town just a week later, where I once again believe the good guys will be laughed out of the stadium.
So fast forward a few weeks from now. Imagine, if you will, Penn State is 3-6 on the season, and still winless in conference play. The last 3 weeks of the schedule are at Michigan State, home vs Nebraska, and at Rutgers to end the season.
Is it possible for the Lions to right the ship in the last 3 weeks of the schedule and get to .500 on the season? Could they go 6-6 and make a bowl game?
I’d like to think they could. They’ve hung tough in every loss this year, with the last two coming by a combined 2 points. Regardless of the fact that we all thought they’d be a national title contender, the team is clearly talented despite its flaws, and a bounce or two here or there and it’s possible that the Lions beat Northwestern and Iowa. Wouldn’t a 5-2 record right now make us all feel better?
In any case, the biggest issue come November 15th may just be mental. How many players will be mentally checked out? How many will have determined that sitting out the remainder of the season and just getting to the Draft (or portal) is the way to go? What will be the latest on the head coach search? I think these things could end up compiling on what would be a 6-game losing streak, and cause the team to stumble the last few games.
But what do you think? Can Penn State claw its way to a bowl game this year? Or are they destined to go something like 4-8 and stay home this holiday season?
