The Football Letter/Steve Manuel
Each week, we’ll tell you what to expect, what to keep an eye on, and where and when you can catch the Nittany Lions on fall Saturdays this season.
Game details: No. 15/14 Penn State vs. Idaho, 3:30 p.m., broadcast on BTN.
Venue: Beaver Stadium, where Penn State boasts an all-time record of 290-74.
Weather forecast (via AccuWeather): High of 75 degrees, with sun and some clouds.
The line: Penn State –36.5.
All-time series: First meeting.
Overview: Penn State football returns to Happy Valley. Although there are many compelling storylines for this year’s Nittany Lions, the real story is that football is back. How will Sean Clifford fare in his first career start? What will the running back rotation look like? On the other side of the ball, just how dominant can the defense be this year? We’ll get a first look at a clearly overmatched opponent that shouldn’t push Penn State too much. Make the necessary plays and stay healthy. That’s this weekend’s game plan for the Nittany Lions.
Penn State wins if: the Blue Buses find their way to the stadium.
Idaho wins if: We could try to concoct a maze of “this, then that,” scenarios, though we’ll give our readers the benefit of knowing better. Idaho, an FCS opponent, isn’t winning Saturday.
Count on: a feel-good vibe all day long. With a mid-afternoon kick and a gorgeous forecast, fans have plenty to look forward to: tailgating, watching (what should be) a comfortable win, and enjoying a wonderful weekend in Happy Valley.
Keep an eye on: Will Levis. Even though Sean Clifford was named the starter (as expected), Saturday’s contest shouldn’t be close in the second half. Maybe James Franklin keeps Clifford in the majority of the game so he can build up game reps, though it wouldn’t be surprising if Levis leads at least a couple of drives. So, both quarterbacks might have a chance to show off their arm in the season opener.
Trivia tidbit: Penn State is one of only two teams in the country who have recorded at least 14 consecutive winning seasons, and also been ranked in the AP poll for the last 40-plus weeks. The other team? Oklahoma.
Predictions
John Patishnock: Penn State 45, Idaho 7
Vincent Lungaro: Penn State 59, Idaho 10
The Football Letter Blog 
…has John Black retired?
Not at all, and thanks for the note, Rodney. The blog complements the traditional Football Letter that’s sent out the Monday/Tuesday following each game, and John still oversees that publication. Thanks for reading!
We Are …
Ok great ! Go State
On Fri, Aug 30, 2019 at 10:09 AM The Football Letter Blog wrote:
> John Patishnock posted: ” Each week, we’ll tell you what to expect, what > to keep an eye on, and where and when you can catch the Nittany Lions on > fall Saturdays this season. Game details: No. 15/14 Penn State vs. Idaho, > 3:30 p.m., broadcast on BTN. Venue: Beaver Stadium, wher” >