One more day until Penn State football, folks.

After a 46-11 win against Nevada last week, Penn State football will try to keep its momentum going against Florida International.

The Panthers had a blowout win against the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats last week, but playing in Beaver Stadium is a whole different world. Even with rainy weather in the forecast for Saturday, our staffers see this game as a blowout in Penn State’s favor.

Fernando Martinez Ruiz De Esparza (1-0): Penn State 52, FIU 13

This Saturday is For The Kids, folks.

Penn State dominated Nevada in its season opener as it put up 49 points despite playing most of its backup players for most of the second half. After last season’s wide receivers struggled, it looks like Drew Allar finally has some weapons with the likes of Kyron Hudson and Trebor Peña. Along with its elite defense, this team is poised to make a run for a national championship, even though they are playing inferior opponents right now until its White Out against Oregon. After getting that first game out of the way, I expect the Nittany Lions to come out firing from the start in their annual THON game, and we will probably see the backups midway through the third quarter.

As for FIU, it went 5-8 last season, and it beat up a weak Bethune-Cookman team last week. Yet somehow, that earned them one vote in this week’s Coaches Poll. I expect the Panthers to play much better than Nevada did last week, but they don’t stand a chance in this game. They are going into a hostile environment, and I expect them to struggle for most of the game against Penn State’s starters until Penn State puts in its backups.

The Nittany Lions will easily win their annual THON game. The bigger question is whether they cover the spread, and I think that they don’t due to the Nittany Lions most likely playing their backups for a decent amount of time in the second half.

CJ Gill (1-0): Penn State 49, FIU 10

The weak non-conference schedule for the Nittany Lions continues this weekend against FIU, and with it comes another blowout. Franklin will send out many of the backups in the second half, with Penn State jumping out to a big lead with the starters. Expect a big day on offense from just about everyone and the defense to play its style of game once again. Singleton will get two touchdowns early on limited touches.

Ben Rosenbaum: (1-0): Penn State 49, FIU 0

The first shutout of the season for the Nittany Lions. I predict Penn State to win this one dominantly, now that the rust has been shaken off a little. I’d hope to see dominant, explosive plays on both sides of the ball. I think the run game will be a strong factor in this one, with Singleton and Allen both likely to have decent games.

Oscar Orellana (1-0): Penn State 40, FIU 13

I do think FIU is a better team than Nevada on paper, but I still see this as a blowout at halftime. FIU will score a pair of touchdowns, though. I’d also expect Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen to be a little more efficient on the ground, and the offense as a whole to take advantage of its red zone opportunities.

Cadyn Gill (1-0): Penn State 58, FIU 10

Chalk it up as another blowout victory for the Nittany Lions, but this time, FIU will be the latest victim. Truthfully, James Franklin will likely just want to minimize the looks his team puts on film and get out of the game as healthy as possible.

Michael Zeno (1-0): Penn State 41, FIU 3

The forecast is slightly gloomy for Saturday in State College, so don’t be surprised if Penn State doesn’t cover the spread. FIU is overmatched, but it’s hard to truly decimate an opponent in bad conditions.

If conditions get bad enough, the starters will get a shorter leash, and they’ll be conservative with the backups. Either way, it’ll be an easy win for Penn State in their second of three tune-up games before the whiteout.

Jamie Lynch (1-0): Penn State 49, FIU 3

Another Saturday in September, another doozy of a matchup. Much like the Nevada game, I don’t expect this one to be close. 

I think the Nittany Lions will handle business from the jump and aim to correct some of their shortcomings from last week. Red zone production will be a focus for the offense, and I’m looking forward to seeing Kyron Hudson, Trebor Peña, and Devonte Ross contribute to transforming the unit.

Mother Nature will act as FIU’s 12th man, as the impending rain will keep Penn State just below the 50-point mark.

Cooper Cazares (1-0): Penn State 49, FIU 10

After last week’s performance through the air, I think Penn State gets back to its roots with the running game, especially with rain in the forecast. With that being said, I don’t think the Nittany Lions cover this weekend because of what is sure to be a wet ballgame.