In previous years Penn State football has been considered a powerhouse team. They have definitely been better than their in-state rivals the Pitt Panthers, but this year things have changed.
Penn State football has known for crushing teams and almost always winning. This year that’s not the case, things have been different this year. Last year they went 11-2 placing 2nd in their division while this year they are in the last place in their division.
Some people are speculating the reason they are starting to lose is because of the weird year and impact of some players having to sit out. It could also be to losing star players like Trace Mcsorley(QB) and Miles Sanders(RB). In the 2019 NFL draft in that draft, they also lost Shareef Miller(DE). Now in the 2020 draft, they have lost players such as Yetur Gross-Matos(DE), KJ Hamler(WR), and star linebacker Cam Brown.
The Pitt Panthers on the other hand this year are off to a completely different starting off at an outstanding 3-0, but then in the next 5 games going 1-4. This now leaving their record to 4-4 currently being placed 9th in their incredibly tough division.
The reason the Pitt Panthers are doing not bad this year is a veteran player and future draft pick Kenny Pickett(QB). Since last year they lost star player Dane Jackson(CB) last year in the draft they are still doing pretty good but not as good as last year going 8-5 placing 4th in their division. And with star freshmen such as Israel Abanikanda(RB) and Bangally Kamara(LB) coming into the mix in the next 2-3 years Pitt could possibly rise to not just being an average football team but to being top of their division.
This year watching a Pitt vs Penn State game would be incredibly interesting with how both teams are playing this year. But that won’t happen until at the earliest 2026 but Penn State won’t have an open spot for a game till at least 2030.