{"id":79184,"date":"2014-07-12T08:46:09","date_gmt":"2014-07-12T15:46:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.capperspicks.com\/blog\/?p=79184"},"modified":"2014-07-12T08:59:16","modified_gmt":"2014-07-12T15:59:16","slug":"penn-state-nittany-lions-2014-gambling-odds-predictions-12714","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/capperspicks.com\/blog\/ncaa-football\/penn-state-nittany-lions-2014-gambling-odds-predictions-12714\/","title":{"rendered":"Penn State Nittany Lions 2014 NCAA Football Gambling Odds & Predictions"},"content":{"rendered":"

2014-15 Football Previews – (Big 10) – Nittany Lions<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Bill O\u2019Brien did a tremendous job holding together the Penn State football program through an extremely difficult period. There were many who thought it was the impossible job, but O\u2019Brien did a great job getting his players to believe. O\u2019Brien has moved on to be a head coach in the NFL. <\/p>\n

Big Ten 2014-2015 College Football Preview – Penn State Nittany Lions<\/a><\/strong>
\nHead Coach: James Franklin<\/strong>
\n2013 Record:\u00a07-5<\/strong>
\nPenn State Odds to win the National Championship: Off (Ineligible)<\/strong>
\nSeason Win Total: 8<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

James Franklin, who made a name for himself in the past few years by getting Vanderbilt to be competitive in the SEC, is the new head man in State College.<\/p>\n

Penn State has gone 10-6 in Big Ten play despite their severe sanctions in the last two years. This might be the most difficult year because of the lack of depth at many key positions. Franklin has done a great job at Vanderbilt and I expect him to do well here, but this season could be a difficult one.<\/p>\n

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Check out our in-house Handicapper!!! Buy Razor Ray’s College Picks in 2014!<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n

They aren\u2019t eligible for any postseason games for a third straight season.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s take a closer look at this team.<\/p>\n

Team Strengths:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Christian Hackenburg was thrown into the fire last year as the starting quarterback as a freshman. Penn State didn\u2019t have anyone else as good as him on the roster. Hackenburg had some struggles, but he completed 59% of his passes and threw 20 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions. For a freshman starter in the Big Ten, those are some excellent numbers. The fact that he got so much quality time under center last year makes him much more dangerous in the years ahead. Hackenburg is one of the best young quarterbacks in the country and he\u2019s the leader of this team.<\/p>\n

Zach Zwinak and Bill Belton were very productive as a tailback tandem last year, and they are both back this season. In addition, the Nittany Lions bring in three extremely talented freshman halfbacks. This is a position of strength.
\n[soliloquy id=”82219″]
\nPenn State is known as \u201cLinebacker U\u201d and while there aren\u2019t any superstars at this position in 2014, the Nittany Lions have plenty of depth and solid team defense guys here. It\u2019s not a position the coaching staff should be worried about.<\/p>\n

Team Weaknesses:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The glaring weakness on offense is the offensive line. Penn State returns a grand total of one starter from last year, and they have experienced a couple key injuries here already in the spring. The guard spots on the line are totally wide open. Penn State has some very good players in the backfield on offense, but it will be tough for them to reach their full potential unless this line surprises me in 2014.<\/p>\n

The Penn State defensive line lost a key part when coach Larry Johnson left to go to Ohio State in the offseason. He had done a great job with this group in recent years. This is another area where lack of depth could hurt the Nittany Lions quite a bit in 2014 too. There aren\u2019t any strong pass rushers on the defensive front.<\/p>\n

Penn State was one of the worst teams in the nation on special teams last season. They might be a bit better this year, but don\u2019t expect them to fix all their issues overnight here.<\/p>\n

2014-2015 Penn State Football Prediction: 7-5<\/h3>\n

Penn State has overachieved the last couple years, and I think it will be very hard for them to get to eight wins this year. The weakness in the trenches isn\u2019t something this team is used to, and it will hurt a lot. Home games against Ohio State and Michigan State will be tough, as well their trip to Michigan.<\/p>\n

Penn State\u2019s future is bright, but they take a step back this season.<\/p>\n

PSU\u00a0Football Schedule<\/h3>\n