2014 Record: 7-6

2015 Las Vegas Season Win Total: 7.5

2015 Season Win Total Picks NCAA Football: 'Over'

I was down on Penn State last year, but this team definitely exceeded my expectations, winning seven games and being incredibly competitive in nearly all of their losses. In fact, four of their six losses were by either five points or less or in overtime. They are much more experienced this year and plenty motivated after their bowl ban was lifted. But they still have a gap to close with the other elite teams in the league.

Penn State's potential starts and ends with quarterback Christian Hackenberg. The kid is a stud. And despite last year's sophomore slump he still has shown a ton of character with how he's dealt with Penn State's off-field issues the past two years. His top running back, three of his top four receivers, and four of five offensive linemen are back, though, meaning the Lions should improve on last year's pathetic offensive numbers.

There's almost no way the Nittany Lions can improve on their incredible defensive numbers from 2014. They were in the Top 10 in the country in all major categories, including No. 2 in total defense and No. 7 in scoring defense. The Lions have seven starters back and improved depth. And if they can stay in the Top 30 nationally they will be all set.

Penn State has kind of a bizarre schedule. They open against Temple in Philadelphia in a game that could be split 50-50 in terms of the crowd. After that they play a ridiculous five straight home games! The Lions only have three true Big Ten road games (they face Maryland in Baltimore), and they have a chance to go 7-0 at home this year.

I know the Nittany Lions are a bit of a trendy team, nationally. But I don't think there is any doubt that they are going to get to eight wins. They could lose their three toughest road games (Ohio State, Northwestern, Michigan State) and dump their toughest home game (Michigan) and still clear this bar. I will definitely take Penn State to go 'over'.

2015 Penn State Nittany Lions Schedule

All Times EST

*Season Win Total Odds from 5Dimes Sportsbook.

Robert Ferringo has been the top football handicapper in the country the past two years, earning nearly $13,000 in total football profit with back-to-back winning seasons. Robert has tallied over $20,000 in football profit the last four years and in 2013 he hit 62.1 percent for the entire NFL season (95-58). Robert has produced an incredible 12 of 16 winning football months. Going back further he has churned out 35 of 51 winning football months, four of five winning overall seasons, seven of eight winning preseasons and he is at nearly 60 percent winners over his last 600 football picks. Also, Robert's proprietary KING College Football Betting System has posted two of three winning seasons and is 101-71 over the last two years (58.7 percent).

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