There is not any gentle launch for Penn State or Purdue to start out the 2022 season. The 2 applications will kick issues off in a Large Ten convention opener in opposition to each other in a battle of two groups coming off totally different seasons in 2021.
Purdue was one of many Large Ten’s nice surprises. After going 6-12 in the course of the 2019 and 2020 seasons, the Boilermakers improved to 9-4 final season and went 6-3 within the Large Ten, ending in a tie with Minnesota and Wisconsin for second within the West.
Penn State was not as profitable, going 7-6 (and solely 4-5 in convention play) after a 4-5 efficiency in 2020, with 4 losses in opposition to ranked groups and an upset loss to Illinois in 9 overtimes. It was sufficient to get to a bowl recreation, however merely reaching the postseason is rarely the purpose in State School. Not for a program that received the East in 2019 when it went 11-2.
Thursday evening’s assembly would be the first between these faculties since 2019 when Penn State beat Purdue 35-7 at Beaver Stadium. Penn State has dominated the sequence, profitable 15 of the 19 conferences.
Purdue vs. Penn State: Have to know
Purdue has a lot to exchange, however nonetheless has Aidan O’Connell: A part of the explanation Purdue was so profitable in 2021 was receiver David Bell (93 rec., 1,286 yards, 6 TD) and defensive finish George Karlaftis (41 tackles, 11.5 TFL, 5 sacks, 3 fumbles compelled). Each will play their soccer on Sunday this season, and whereas neither will probably be straightforward to exchange, the Boilermakers take some solace in getting Aidan O’Connell again. O’Connell started 2021 in a battle for the beginning QB job, however as soon as he bought maintain of it, he refused to let go. O’Connell completed the season with 3,708 yards passing and 28 touchdowns. He enters 2022 because the unquestioned starter, and a few surprise if he is likely to be the next-best QB within the league behind Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud.
Consistency at offensive coordinator for Sean Clifford: Perhaps that does not look like an enormous deal, however it’s. For instance, no one anticipated a lot from Northwestern’s Ryan Hilinski final weekend, however he was in the identical scenario as Clifford coming into 2022. Hilinski threw for 314 yards to assist lead the Wildcats to an upset win over Nebraska. Familiarity is large for a QB, and Clifford has it together with his playbook and play-caller for the primary time in his faculty profession. That, mixed together with his expertise, might result in his most prolific season at Penn State.
Be careful for Penn State freshman Nick Singleton: The primary-year participant could possibly be as huge a lift to Clifford and the Penn State offense as anybody else. Penn State has struggled to run the ball successfully because the days of Saquon Barkley and Miles Sanders, and Singleton is probably the most proficient again they’ve had since Barkley. That is to not say he’s Barkley or he’ll have a right away affect, however he does give Penn State’s offense the type of game-breaking expertise it has lacked at working again. He is a participant to maintain a watch out for on Thursday evening — and all season lengthy.
Easy methods to watch Purdue vs. Penn State stay
Date: Thursday, September 1 | Time: 8 p.m. ET
Location: Ross-Ade Stadium — West Lafayette, IN
TV: Fox | Dwell stream: fuboTV (Strive free of charge)
Purdue vs. Penn State prediction, picks
Featured Recreation | Purdue Boilermakers vs. Penn State Nittany Lions
I’ve painted myself right into a little bit of a nook right here. I spent the offseason speaking about Penn State being the Large Ten’s most underrated program based mostly on the final couple of seasons, whereas concurrently saying that Purdue was overrated after overperforming final season. Nicely, it appears like my two opinions will conflict head-on Thursday evening, and I see no purpose to again down from them but. I’ve official issues about Purdue’s means to rapidly change the important thing components it misplaced from final yr’s workforce, and Penn State ought to have the clear expertise benefit. There is a purpose the Nittany Lions are favored on the highway coming off a mediocre season. Do not overthink it. Prediction: Penn State -3.5
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