Penn nation and Purdue kick off their 2022 seasons Thursday in West Lafayette, Indiana
There is no smooth launch of the 2022 college football season for Penn state or Purdue. The 2 big Ten programs will kick things off Thursday night in a conference conflict to open the season in a battle of two teams coming off one of a kind seasons in 2021.
Purdue become one of the big Ten’s fine surprises. After going 6-12 during the 2019 and 2020 seasons, the Boilermakers advanced to 9-four last season and went 6-three inside the big Ten, completing in a tie with Minnesota and Wisconsin for second inside the massive Ten West.
Penn state became not as a hit, going 7-6 (and only 4-five in convention play) after a four-5 overall performance in 2020, with four losses towards ranked groups and an disenchanted loss to Illinois in 9 overtimes. It was enough to get to a bowl sport, but honestly achieving the postseason is never the aim in nation university, Pennsylvania. Not for a program that received the big Ten East in 2019 whilst it went 11-2.
Thursday night’s meeting can be the first between these colleges for the reason that 2019 while Penn kingdom beat Purdue 35-7 at Beaver Stadium. Penn country has dominated the collection, triumphing 15 of the 19 conferences.
Purdue vs. Penn state: need to understand
Purdue has masses to update, however still has Aidan O’Connell: part of the purpose Purdue was so successful in 2021 became receiver David Bell (ninety three receptions., 1,286 yards, six touchdowns) and protecting give up George Karlaftis (41 tackles, 11.5 TFL, five sacks, 3 fumbles compelled). Both will play their soccer on Sunday this season, and while neither will be smooth to replace, the Boilermakers take a few solace in getting Aidan O’Connell back. O’Connell started 2021 in a battle for the beginning QB task, but as soon as he got maintain of it, he refused to let pass. O’Connell finished the season with three,708 yards passing and 28 touchdowns. He enters 2022 as the unquestioned starter, and some marvel if he is probably the subsequent-nice QB within the league in the back of Ohio nation’s C.J. Stroud.
Consistency at offensive coordinator for Sean Clifford: maybe that does not appear like a huge deal, but it’s far. For example, no person expected a great deal from Northwestern’s Ryan Hilinski final weekend, however he was within the identical scenario as Clifford getting into 2022. Hilinski threw for 314 yards to help lead the Wildcats to an disenchanted win over Nebraska. Familiarity is huge for a QB, and Clifford has it with his playbook and play-caller for the first time in his university career. That, blended with his revel in, ought to result in his most prolific season at Penn state.
Be careful for Penn kingdom freshman Nick Singleton: the primary-12 months participant might be as massive a lift to Clifford and the Penn country offense as every person else. Penn country has struggled to run the ball efficaciously because the days of Saquon Barkley and Miles Sanders, and Singleton is the most proficient again they’ve had for the reason that Barkley. It truly is no longer to say he’s Barkley or he will have an instantaneous impact, but he does supply Penn kingdom’s offense the kind of sport-breaking expertise it has lacked at walking back. He’s a participant to keep an eye fixed out for on Thursday night time — and all season long.
How to watch Purdue vs. Penn kingdom stay Time: eight p.M. ET
Place: Ross-Ade Stadium — West Lafayette, Indiana
Television stay movement: fuboTV (strive at no cost)
Purdue vs. Penn state prediction, alternatives
I’ve painted myself into a bit of a nook right here. I spent the offseason speaking approximately Penn kingdom being the massive Ten’s most underrated program based totally on the remaining couple of seasons, even as simultaneously pronouncing that Purdue become overrated after overperforming final season. Well, it seems like my evaluations will clash head-on Thursday night, and that i see no cause to backpedal from them but. I’ve valid concerns about Purdue’s ability to speedy replace the important thing elements it misplaced from last 12 months’s team, and Penn state ought to have the clean expertise advantage. There may be a purpose the Nittany Lions are favored on the street coming off a mediocre season. Do not overthink it. Prediction: Penn kingdom -three.Five
