Penn State’s 2024 schedule offers intriguing possibilities. It looks to be one of the least difficult schedules of all Big Ten teams. However, the Nittany Lions do face a daunting stretch of games in October.
The 2024 Penn State Schedule
Here is Penn State’s 2024 schedule:
| Date | Opponent | Home/Away |
| August 31 | West Virginia | Away |
| September 7 | Bowling Green | Home |
| September 21 | Kent State | Home |
| September 28 | Illinois | Home |
| October 5 | UCLA | Home |
| October 12 | USC | Away |
| October 19 | Wisconsin | Away |
| October 26 | Ohio State | Home |
| November 2 | Washington | Home |
| November 9 | Purdue | Away |
| November 16 | Minnesota | Away |
| November 23 | Maryland | Home |
Notably, the schedule features seven home games and only five away games. And the only lengthy trip the Nittany Lions have to take is to Los Angeles to play USC in October.
ESPN’s Preseason Top 25
Penn State is ranked No. 7 in ESPN’s preseason rankings.
Here’s ESPN’s preseason top 25 for the 2024 season:
- Georgia
- Ohio State
- Oregon
- Texas
- Michigan
- Alabama
- Penn State
- Ole Miss
- Notre Dame
- LSU
- Missouri
- Florida State
- Texas A&M
- Oklahoma
- Tennessee
- Clemson
- Utah
- Kansas State
- Arizona
- Oklahoma State
- Miami
- Iowa State
- USC
- Louisville
- Wisconsin
The Nittany Lions play three of these teams — Ohio State, USC, and Wisconsin — all in October.
It is noteworthy that one of Penn State’s opponents, national championship runner-up Washington, is not in ESPN’s preseason top 25. Perhaps that is attributable to the loss of their head coach (Kalen DeBoer), star quarterback (Michael Penix, Jr.), standout wide receiver (Rome Odunze), Morris Trophy-winning tackle (Troy Fautanu), first-team All-Pac-12 defensive end (Bralen Trice), and other players headed for the NFL. The Nittany Lions play the depleted Huskies squad at home in early November.
Penn State does not play other highly-ranked Big Ten squads Oregon and Michigan.
Thus, while the schedule is by no means a cakewalk, it does present the opportunity for the team to put together a strong record.
The Nittany Lions Look to Compete for the National Championship
Head coach James Franklin is pleased with the way Spring practice went for the team.
For the team to secure a berth in the 12-team college football playoff, several key goals must be met.
Improved Wide Receiver Play
The Nittany Lions need stepped-up and injury-free play from their wide receivers.
Fortunately, their wide receiver group received a shot in the arm when Julian Fleming transferred from Ohio State. 23-year-old Fleming was a five-star recruit coming out of high school and was rated the best wide receiver in the 2020 recruiting class. He struggled with injuries during his freshman and sophomore years with the Buckeyes. However, he caught 34 passes last year, including six touchdown receptions. Fleming is the No. 1 WR on the Nittany Lions’ depth chart.
Penn State also looks for a solid contribution from redshirt junior wide receiver Harrison “Tre” Wallace III. Wallace has shown flashes of talent that made him a four-star recruit but missed eight games last year due to injury.
Continued Stellar Quarterback Play
Continued excellent play from Drew Allar will also be critical. Allar was spectacular last year, throwing 23 touchdown passes and only one interception in 12 starts. Allar is considered one of the top ten candidates for the Heisman Trophy this year. The 6’5″ gunslinger may be off to the NFL following this season. Thus, there is no time like the present for the Nittany Lions.
Breakout Performances From Running Backs
Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen are very talented running backs. However, in the words of Yahoo Sports, they “just kept running into the line of scrimmage” last season.
20-year-old Singleton was the No. 1 rated running back in the 2022 recruiting class. He had over 1,000 rushing yards as a true freshman, but less than 500 in his sophomore season. He is also an explosive kickoff returner. The Nittany Lions need a bounce-back performance from Singleton in 2024.
21-year-old Allen was a four-star recruit in the 2022 class. He has rushed for over 1,600 yards in his Penn State career, with 16 touchdowns. Penn State will benefit greatly if Allen and Singleton both turn in electric performances in 2024.
The Nittany Lions undoubtedly need to achieve other goals. However, if they attain the three just noted, they will be on the right track to making the 2024 college football playoff.
For more sports-related news, focused primarily on the USC Trojans, SMU Mustangs, Sacramento Kings, and Los Angeles Rams, please follow me at @vshjah_Victor.
