Penn State football has big expectations in 2024 as they hope to make their bid for a national title.
It’s a new era of college football in 2024. Conferences have expanded after a major realignment phase and the playoffs will now feature 12 teams. One team that will really feel the effects of the new era? The Penn State Nittany Lions, who now have a whopping 17 other schools joining them in the Big Ten after the additions of USC, UCLA, Oregon and Washington. Is this the year Penn State football finally breaks through and competes for a national championship?
2024 Penn State Football Preview
It’s Year 11 already for head coach James Franklin at Penn State, who enters the 2024 season with a 112-54 record in his career that also includes three seasons at Vanderbilt. Franklin is 88-39 at Penn State with five seasons of double-digits wins, including each of the last two seasons. All eyes will be on if he can finally knock off the big boys in the conference.
Of course, this season, the Nittany Lions don’t see the defending champion Michigan Wolverines, so they catch somewhat of a break. Ohio State still lurks later in the year.
Nittany Lions Roster Highlights
Junior quarterback Drew Allar is back after a solid 2023 campaign in which he threw for over 2,600 yards with 25 touchdowns and only two interceptions. There are plenty of expectations for the former four-star recruit entering his second full season as the starting quarterback.
One key addition among the targets Allar will have to throw to is former Ohio State wide receiver Julian Fleming. Pennsylvanians will remember Fleming from his time at Southern Columbia High School in central Pennsylvania. Redshirt junior Harrison Wallace (19 receptions, 228 yards) and redshirt sophomore Kadon Saunders are also in line for more work this season, replacing last season’s receiving leader Keandre Lambert-Smith.
The running game should be no issue for Penn State. Juniors Kaytron Allen (902 yards, six touchdowns) and Nick Singleton (752 yards, eight touchdowns) are back for at least one more run at the playoffs in State College. Redshirt freshman Cam Wallace and true freshmen Quinton Martin Jr. and Corey Smith are in the running back room as well.
Junior Drew Shelton is likely getting the task of replacing first-round draft pick Olu Fashanu at left tackle while Wisconsin transfer Nolan Ricci could slide into the right tackle spot.
On defense, all eyes will be on Abdul Carter, who is making the transition from linebacker to defensive end, a move Carter suggested. His potential on the line feels incredible and he’ll form what could be a dynamic duo with Dani Dennis-Sutton. Also, keep an eye on weak side linebacker Tony Rojas. The true freshman has the potential to become a stalwart in the Nittany Lions’ defense.
Penn State 2024 Schedule and Expectations
As mentioned earlier, Penn State does not have to face Michigan during the regular season. Could that be a blessing in disguise as the team tries to crash the playoff party?
Double-digit wins should be the minimum for this football team but the season does start with a trip to West Virginia. Then it’s four straight at home with Bowling Green, Kent State, Illinois and UCLA. Their first bye week comes after Kent State.
After that, Penn State heads out west for their first conference meeting with USC on October 12. After a week off, they’ll head to Wisconsin to face the Badgers.
November 2 is the big day when Ohio State comes to town in what could be a season-defining moment for coach Franklin and the Lions. Penn State then finishes home against last year’s runners-up Washington, trips to Purdue and Minnesota and then home against Maryland.
Expectations are as high as they’ve been in quite some time in Happy Valley. A Big Ten championship would be a huge goal for this team, but even just a home game in the first round of the playoffs could be seen as a success for this team with a chance to advance. A big year ahead at Beaver Stadium.
