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5 Bold Predictions for 2015 Penn State Football

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Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

5 Bold Predictions for 2015 Penn State Football

Penn State nittany lions football
Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Last season was a Jekyll and Hyde type of year for the Penn State Nittany Lions. Whenever Penn State would go on a winning streak, it would follow it with a losing skid of the same number of games. It did, however, finish the season on a high note defeating Boston College in the Pinstripe Bowl, thus finishing the season 7-6 (2-6 in the Big Ten). It was a small step in the right direction. Here are five things to expect for Penn State this fall.

5. Jesse James will be missed

jesse james penn state nittany lions
Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports

Jesse James will be missed

Jesse James penn state nittany lions
Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports

James may have been only the third-leading receiver last season (396 yards on 38 catches), but he caught the most touchdown passes for the Nittany Lions (three). He wasn’t just a big target for quarterback Christian Hackenberg, he was also a decent blocking tight end at 6-foot-7, 254 pounds. The offense will definitely miss him this season, especially in the red zone.

4. Christian Hackenberg will underachieve

Christian Hackenberg penn state nittany lions
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

4. Christian Hackenberg will underachieve

Christian Hackenberg penn state nittany lions
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

As a sophomore, Hackenberg threw for nearly 3,000 yards, which is nice, but the 12 touchdowns to 15 interceptions ratio is an eyesore. There were six games last season where Hackenberg threw more interceptions than touchdowns (Penn State went 3-3 in those games). The Nittany Lions return their two leading receivers from last season, but Hackenberg’s tendency to turn the ball over will stand in the way of any progression.

3. DaeSean Hamilton will eclipse 1,000 yards

DaeSean Hamilton penn state nittany lions
Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports

3. DaeSean Hamilton will eclipse 1,000 yards

DaeSean Hamilton penn state nittany lions
Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports

Hamilton thrived as a freshman in 2014, accumulating 899 yards on 82 receptions and two scores. Look for him to have even more of an impact in Penn State’s offense this fall. Opposing defenses will definitely pay more attention to him, but junior Geno Lewis will take just enough pressure off Hamilton so that he can do some damage downfield. That is, if Christian Hackenberg can keep the ball away from the defense.

2. ‘Linebacker U’ will struggle early

Nyeem Wartman penn state nittany lions
Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports

2. ‘Linebacker U’ will struggle early

Nyeem Wartman penn state nittany lions
Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports

The good news is Penn State returns juniors Nyeem Wartman and Brandon Bell, along with sophomore Jason Cabinda, who had 139 total tackles between them in 2014. The bad news? Mike Hull had 140 total tackles last season as a senior. The linebacking corps will need to reload quickly this fall, otherwise Penn State’s defense could be in for a long season.

1. Penn State will win at least seven games

penn state nittany lions pinstripe bowl
Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

1. Penn State will win at least seven games

penn state nittany lions Pinstripe Bowl
Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

This may not be the boldest of predictions, but then again, it might be. Penn State will have challenges on both sides of the ball, but their schedule is not that difficult. Aside from facing Michigan State and Ohio State on the road, they have it pretty easy. I look for them to finish at least 7-5, maybe 8-4 if the stars align.

Brooks Hooley is a Junior Big Ten Football writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @brookshooley.

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