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Penn State vs. Appalachian State: Predicting the Nittany Lions’ season opener

The Mountaineers' speed and their history of playing ranked opponents will help them, but the Nittany Lions have too much depth and are playing at home.

James Franklin is on the recruiting trail.
James Franklin is on the recruiting trail.Read moreKalim A. Bhatti / For the Inquirer

As is his custom, Penn State coach James Franklin is treating this season opener against Appalachian State like the Super Bowl. Of course, the legend of Appalachian State is highlighted by its 34-32 upset at Michigan in the 2007 season opener when the Mountaineers were still an FCS school. But they're not afraid of any team; they will be playing a nationally ranked opponent for the fourth consecutive year.

The Nittany Lions enter this game with quite a few questions about themselves, but an equally large question is how well they can cope with the speed of App State. Franklin said senior running back Jalin Moore, the reigning Sun Belt player of the year, has run the 40-yard dash in 4.37 seconds. The Mountaineers' defense is equally swift, and their secondary has intercepted 56 passes in the last three years, second in the nation over that period.

Still, App State will be coming out with a new quarterback and new receivers, and the lack of experience will show against a team with more depth playing in front of more than 100,000 friendly faces. Call it a Nittany Lions victory, 40-17.