Football
Big Ten Countdown - No. 5 Penn State
By Tony Gerdeman

5. Penn State 7-5 (4-4) (predicted finish)

Two Cent Overview

The Anthony Morelli Era is underway. Last season’s Big Ten MVP Michael Robinson is gone and so may be Penn State’s intangibles. Offensive skill still abounds, however, though four of the five men blocking for them will be relatively new. The defensive line returns tackle Jay Alford and his 8.5 sacks from 2005. The linebackers are all back, but they’ll be playing in front of an entirely new secondary. The kicking game, however, looks to be a strength for Penn State in 2006.

Schedule
Sept. 2 Akron (W)
Sept. 9 at Notre Dame (L)
Sept. 16 Youngstown State (W)
Sept. 23 at Ohio State (L)
Sept. 30 Northwestern (W)
Oct. 7 at Minnesota (W)
Oct. 14 Michigan (L)
Oct. 21 Illinois (W)
Oct. 28 at Purdue (L)
Nov. 4 at Wisconsin (L)
Nov. 11 Temple (W)
Nov. 18 Michigan State (W)

Goal

Get back to the BCS. As much of an aberration as last season may have been, it is now expected again. The vast majority of players finally had a taste of success and they’ll undoubtedly want some more.

Five Questions Looking For Answers

1. IS Anthony Morelli the greatest quarterback of all-time???

2. How much will running back Tony Hunt miss the option?

3. Will this be receiver Derrick Williams’ breakout season?

4. Will the Penn State linebackers look mortal without 2005’s defensive line in front of them?

5. Will Penn State beat Michigan for the first time since 1996?

Something To Look For

Morelli as a distributor. Last season, Michael Robinson dominated the football. This season, look for Morelli to get the ball out of his hand quickly in order to get the ball to the skill on the outside. Morelli has a great arm and has the ability to go downfield, but in order to build his confidence, expect a lot of quick passes early on.

Returning Starters

Five on offense, four on defense, the punter and the kicker.

Best Player

Linebacker Paul Posluszny. Posluszny was held out of the spring as he was still nursing a knee injury. However, Joe Paterno doesn’t seem to have any concerns with the knee affecting the linebacker’s season. “I think Paul could have practiced in the spring. He was always chomping at the bit and I kept pushing and getting him out of there. I think Paul is fine. He is wearing a brace in practice and that is just something that the medical people feel is a precautionary thing.”

Second Best Player

Receiver Derrick Williams. Williams was one of the top incoming freshmen in college football last season, and showed plenty of flashes of brilliance on the field. Because of the style of offense last season, and Michael Robinson’s wayward throws, Williams didn’t get as many opportunities as he probably should have last season. Expect him to get the ball plenty this season, and from every conceivable position. He has more moves than speed, and he is plenty fast. Williams is a game changer.

Best Chance For a Big Loss

At Ohio State. The Buckeyes are looking for a large measure of revenge this season. Last season, the Buckeyes weren’t able to force Michael Robinson to throw the ball. This season, Ohio State should be able to score, forcing Penn State to open things up a bit. I don’t expect Penn State to get blown out in any games this season, but a 17-point win for Jim Tressel is like a 31-point win for any other coach.

Most Important Game

Michigan. Most folks expect Penn State to lose their first two big games, at Notre Dame and at Ohio State. The Michigan game will be their first big game where many will expect them to win. However, Michigan has won seven straight in the series and seemingly has Penn State’s number. If the Nittany Lions want to prove that they are back, they may need to salvage their season with a win against the Wolverines.

Best Road Game To Pack Up The Family Truckster And Travel To

At Notre Dame. If you like history (and being a Penn State fan, you must), then traveling to South Bend is a no-brainer.

Best Reason They Won't Be Undefeated

The road schedule. At Notre Dame, at Ohio State, at Minnesota, at Purdue and at Wisconsin. That could be five losses right there. Three or four losses is probably more realistic though.

Best Reason They Will Be Undefeated

Veteran two-deep. Yes, Penn State is replacing thirteen starters, but the players being looked upon to replace them are, for the most part, upperclassmen. Of course, it remains to be seen whether that is a good thing or a bad thing. It could be good because the players will have years of practice and several games of experience. It could be bad because now the “career back-ups” are your starters.

Game They Shouldn't Lose But Could

Michigan State. Usually, the Spartans will have collapsed long before the final game of the regular season. They could, however, be coming in on a pretty substantial winning streak. Add that into a possibly slightly better than .500 record for the Nits, and you have the makings of a typical Michigan State baffler.

Player People Are Expecting Too Much From

Linebacker Paul Posluszny. Even though he wasn’t voted the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year by those who covered the conference or coached in it, he did win the Bednarik Award (nation’s best defensive player) and the Butkus Award (nation’s best linebacker.) However, the defensive line lost two members of the All-Big Ten team in Tamba Hali and Scott Paxson, so it will be hard for him to roam as free as he did last season. He is, however, a great linebacker and it would be a shame for people to start whispering that he is overrated simply because he doesn’t look as good as he did last season.

Player People Will Be Pleasantly Surprised By

Cornerback Justin King. King was a true freshman last season and went back and forth between receiver and nickelback. Joe Paterno feels that King will only be used on defense this season, so expect him to flourish and become one of the best shut down corners in the conference.

Game On The Schedule That Glen Mason Is Jealous That He Didn't Schedule

Temple. You may look at the schedule and say, “What about Youngstown State?” I say to you, when was the last time Temple won a national championship of any kind?

Something They Do Well

Tackle. Linebackers Paul Posluszny and Dan Connor are two of the very best linebackers in the conference. They are also two of the surest tacklers. Add in Tim Shaw at middle linebacker, and all three players could approach 100 tackles on the season.

Something They Don't Do So Well

Run the ball. Something that was a strength last season, will be a struggle this season. All-American candidate Levi Brown returns at left tackle, but the other five players vying for four jobs have a combined one start in their careers. Knowing that Morelli isn’t a candidate to break any big gains via the option, Penn State will have to go to a more traditional running game, something that they’ve struggled with for more than a few years.

What's Improved?

The passing game. The passing game will improve if for no other reason than Morelli’s accuracy. Michael Robinson had some truly horrific throws last season, but made up for it with his ability to convert third downs with his feet. This year’s version of the Nittany Lions will be able to rely on the passing game to move the ball, whereas last year they passed the ball simply to keep defenses from keying solely on the run.

What's Gotten Worse?

The pass rush. Penn State will be replacing nineteen sacks from last year’s defensive line. The three players replacing them and slated to start in 2006 have combined for one sack. If the line can’t get a pass rush, the linebackers will have to blitz more. Last season, Paul Posluszny only had three sacks, so that number may need to increase this season.

Three Things Gleaned From The Media Guide

1. Beaver Stadium becomes Pennsylvania’s third-largest “city” on game day.

2. Some of the entertainers to perform at the Bryce Jordan Center on Penn State’s campus: The WWE; Rascal Flatts; Larry the Cable Guy; Britney Spears; Toby Keith and 50 Cent.

3. In 1973, the Nittany Lions went 12-0 and earned a final ranking of #5 in the AP poll.

Targets for Ridicule in Upcoming Tip Sheets

Penn State fans; Things those fans throw; JoePa’s age; Tainted awarding of awards. (Same as it ever was, same as it ever was.)

80's TV Show That This Team Reminds Me Of

The Master. Joe Paterno is an aging ninja. Jay Paterno is his young understudy. Joe tries to teach his young learner the ways of the ninja; and Jay drives a van.

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