As a hold over...

[el_duderino]

bwi.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=842041

Full depth chart as has been announced. The hope is to have a preseason analysis of the offense, defense, and season schedule prior to the start of the season this Saturday. (You know - that glorified scrimmage that is Coastal Carolina.) ;D

[phillyfiend]

i think imma go with a 9-3 season

[el_duderino]

I'll never forget the 2005 season - for multiple reasons. But the one thing I can always take from that season was that I called it all before the season started. Well, everything but the exact bowl game, but I digress. I remember picking up one of the many pre-season college football magazines, flipping through, and running down the schedule. Even after two horrible seasons (and 4 in 5 years), I still came to the conclusion of an 11-1 season, with the lone loss being to Michigan on the road. While I then proceeded to be over-confident in Morelli (or perhaps moreso in the playcalling of our offense), I think we're returning to a mold of a team I can more accurately pick. At this point, only play calling would hold us back from these predictions.

Let's first start by taking a gander at the offense:

Quarterbacks: Grade = I; You can't grade this here at all, since everything is too small of a sample size and mere projections. Darryl Clark has had some game experience, with some appearances (vs. Texas A&M) being much better than others (Michigan, 2006). Pat Devlin has had no time to show us anything, and Paul Cianciolo has some minor experience. If none of these had shown any time/experience, this likely would have been gradable with something low - a complete lack of experience scares the bejebes out of me. However, there is some experience and some obvious talent here, so we leave it as an incomplete until week 2.

Still, what are we projecting at? Well, Clark is a scrambler, and Devlin is a mobile pocket passer. Clark should bring back feelings of M-Rob, just not as powerful; Devlin will have that arm, but can move fluidly when rushed (a la Young, Elway, and to some extent Rothlesberger). While Clark was named the starter, there's little doubt that there will be a time-share of the position for awhile, if not the entire season. If the team is smart, they'll run with what's working best and not just with tradition. If either one establishes themselves as more capable (or less capable), then let's go with the better QB; if both continue to do well, run with the dual-QB system (see Florida Gators, 2006-07 season). At the end of the day, both will be instrumental to keeping this offense fresh and using all of its weapons, keeping defenses guessing constantly. At the end of the season, this giant question mark might be the catalyst to a BCS bowl.

Running Backs: Grade = B; And the only reason it's not higher is because of the lack of experience behind Evan Royster. Royster looked great spelling Kinlaw throughout the season last year. And this top RB prospect should only continue to power through this offense. A lot of love has also been put behind Stephfon Green - a converted DB. And after a few plays into the Blue-White game, we all understood why: one block, one cut, and he's breaking off 50+ yard runs. Behind those top two are Carter and Suhey - both have shown signs of being capable back-ups, should they be called upon. Not Royster level yet, but the O-Line (mentioned later) may cover for all of that. Final depth at RB goes to true freshman Brandon Beachum, who chose Penn State because we were the only school recruiting him as a RB and not a LB. Beachum showed he can play with the big dogs in the Blue-White game - impressive for a kid who only had a few months to learn the playbook. Fullbacks don't have a lot of depth, but as long as Lawlor stays healthy, there shouldn't be much need for depth.

Wide Receivers: Grade = A; If you don't like this group at this point, you have no soul. 4th year of starting, 3 WRs deep. When you plan on having a spread offense, that's one of the sexiest things you can have. Williams brings the speed and big-play mentality; Butler brings sure hands; and Norwood finds the holes in the coverage to sit in. The biggest downside is the release of Chris Bell, who would have made this group even scarier. (But it's time to send the message that there's no more screwing around as long as you're playing for Penn State.) Still, converted-QB Brett Bracket and freshman Derek Moye are both capable WRs. Bracket has the height to be a red zone target, and Moye apparently brings more of that big-play mentality. Should we really need to spread the offense, we have the depth to do it.

Tight ends should be solid, and even better if Andrew Quarless gets his act together and is allowed back on the field. Mickey Shuler looked solid last season, and Andrew Szczerba looked extremely impressive at the B-W game, so that alone should carry any need at TE. And again, if Quarless can get back to his focus as a freshman, a capable group of TEs will make the rest of the offense that much more scary.

Offensive Line: Grade = A; For the first time in a long time, you can be very excited for the Penn State offensive line. Returning 4 of 5 starters, and bumping up an extremely talented sophomore with great bloodlines, this core line is going to be the heart of this offense. There's been talk of a lack of experienced depth, but I always believe that any injuries to the O-Line will be devastating due to the change in chemistry alone. But if this group can stay healthy, they may end the season as one of the best in the nation. And with a spread/mobile offense being the gameplan, this offense could be just as, if not more, potent (and exciting) as that 2005 Michael Robinson-led offense.


Again, everything with the offense rests on the coordinators willingness to keep the playbook open, and not revert to the old style at the first sign of trouble. They did that all too often these past two years, not allowing our wide receivers the chance to do their work. But with this "Spread HD" offense in place, I doubt they have many intentions of returning the offense to anything simple. Defense and season outlook to come still to come!

[el_duderino]

This will be one of those rare seasons when the defense will have more question marks than the offense. But if there's anything that can quell most of those uncertainties, it's that man on the sidelines who always finds a way to get it done - Tom Bradley. He can take what is in essence a no-name defense, and make them one of the top units in the nation. And with the loss of Sean Lee, it'll be another year of making something out of the seemingly nothing. Defense, let's roll on!

Defensive Line: Grade = A-; This is the undoubted strength of the defense going into the season. Maurice Evans is considered one of the top 5 defensive linemen in the nation - another end with an endless motor. Gaines on the opposite side showed some great work last year as well. Ogbu, Koroma, and Odrick will all see time at DT, and all are more than capable - word on the street is that Koroma has been looking extremely solid this summer. Depth up the middle is very thin, so I wouldn't be completely surprised if we have a few more 3-4 style formations throughout the games - DE Jerome Hayes could see some time as an extra, stand-up DE.

Linebackers: Grade = B-; At this point, Tyrell Sales leads the group in experience. And just when it seemed he'd continue to be an underachiever in someone else's shadow, Sales has been pushed to the forefront of Linebacker U. And every indication to this point shows that he's more than ready to take that on. A solid spring, and great word out of summer camps have Sales looking ready to lead the group. Bani Gbadyu and Josh Hull grab the two starting spots, but the depth is one of the most impressive parts of this group. Colasanti, Stupar, and Bowman are all extremely talented and could easily see more playing time depending on the week. It's the other reason why we might see the 3-4 at times - Colasanti is a solid 2nd ILB, and Bowman can work as that stand-up lineman (see Tim Shaw, 2006). Keep an eye out for true frosh Michael Mauti - top notch prospect who might see some time here and there.

Defensive Backs: Grade = B; Easily the weak link the defense last season, I really feel the departure of Justin King to the draft will help this secondary. While Lydell Sargeant and A.J. Wallace swap the right CB starting role, I'm excited to see Tony Davis return as the left CB. Scirrotto gets a senior season without distraction, and Mark Rubin gets a full time job. There's experience in the depth, with Harriot and Timmons seeing extended time previously. And again, lots of love being thrown towards Drew Astorino and his efforts during the off-season. There's a good chance this group settles down and doesn't rely solely on the expectations of one. And let's face it - after last season, it seems there's no way but up.

Special Teams: Grade = B; Kevin Kelly isn't the most accurate, but he knows how to kick the ball, and do it often. While I expect more TDs, and fewer FGs, Kelly at least has the experience under his belt to be able to hit kicks when needed. (Within his range....) Jeremy Boone was a monster last year, and there's no reason to expect him to fall off. And when Wallace and Williams are returning kicks again, the return game should be just fine. Only question is the kick coverage team, but nobody ever tells you what's going on with that...

Overall, I don't see why this won't be another solid defense under Tom Bradley. I think everything is sizing up nicely on both sides of the ball. Again, we won't know until Oregon State (currently tied with Stanford, 17-17 just starting the 2nd half), and then nothing again until the Big 10 schedule starts against Illinois.

So how does the season stack up? Well, I'll leave that for next time...

[el_duderino]

While I could have held off on this for another week, seeing how the Coastal Carolina game will tell us absolutely nothing, I promised season rundown prior to kickoff, and so here it is.

Coastal Carolina expects to be one of the ugliest games I'll ever have to watch/listen to. Even still, it's the start of Penn State football season, and I am pumped! Nothing like listening to the Blue Band to get that blue and white blood pumping again! Ok, this is a win, but by how much will depend on how much we play around with the line-ups and the play calling. Because of that, I'm anticipating a blowout but perhaps not as evident on the scoreboard as the stats might detail. Expect along the lines of 55-14.

(That'll be the only score I give now - trying to project weeks in advance is futile.)

Oregon State comes into Happy Valley next, and a decent showing vs. Stanford went all for naught. They are a spread offense that lives off of passing and some runs here and there. Overall, they're a very gimmicky offense which posses problems for anyone. It'll be a true test for the LBs and DBs, but I foresee them holding up fine. And I don't doubt the crowd will play a huge factor as well.

On the road at Syracuse - the laughing stock of the Big East anymore. And we'll leave Syracuse 3-0.

Temple follows us back to Happy Valley, and I expect more of a 2006 showing than our 2007 efforts. I still have no clue what's happening with the QB situation at this point, but whatever it is, it's led us to an easy 4-0 start. Here comes the Big 10...

Illinois rolls in next for an energetic game under the lights. Looking up and down the schedule, I'm tabbing this to likely be the most exciting home game of the season. Losing Rashard Mendenhall will be huge for Illinois in this game, and it'll be more than enough for our defense to keep Juice and Benn in moderate check. It'll be a close one, but there's enough on our side at this point to allow us to take this one fairly comfortably.

We head to Purdue after that, and Purdue is still trying to rebuild and find something. But they're still not there yet. This should be a fairly easy walk - not a massive blow-out, but we control the game from the start. Halfway through the season, and there's reason to believe we'll be 6-0.

The next three games will be the make-or-break it portion of the season. And there are enough ways to go 3-0, 0-3, or anything in between here. On the road vs. Wisconsin will set the tone for the rest of the season. They're still an old school Big Ten team - power running, basic passing, solid defense. Our front seven should match up well (enough) against their run game. And if we stick to the spread offense hybrid thingy they're talking about, it'll give their defense fits. Being on the road will be troublesome, but not an impossible hurdle. If we keep to the systems we have set in motion, we take this game.

Michigan comes into Penn State, and there is little doubt that we don't win this game. Michigan is beyond retooling and regrouping, to the point where it's almost sad (and hilarious). That little bit of doubt - it is Michigan. And our offensive coordinators seem to go into ultra-suck-fest at the sight of "maize". Pussies. Still, I'm comparing this one to last year's (shoulda-been-a) blowout against Notre Dame. Easily one of those games where the score doesn't dictate the game play - State finally comes out on top.

To conclude this 3 game set from hell, it's back on the road to Columbus to face-off against what might be the #1 team in the nation at this point. Ohio State finds a way to win, unless it's the National Championship game, where they disgrace the Big Ten and remind us all why we still hate those damn Buckeyes. Ohio State is Wisconsin, just better - great run game, sketchy pass game, outstanding defense. At 8-0 and finally beating Michigan, energy is running sky-high for Penn State, and an Illinois-like upset is not out of the picture. However, trying to beat Ohio State at all, let alone in their own home, is quite the tall task. I think the overall inexperience finally catches up to us and finds us falling on the road.

Iowa game, 2008 = Illinois game, 2005. Iowa is a better team than Illinois was at that point, but I'm expecting a pissed off State to take out some aggression on the unsuspecting Hawkeyes. No letdown. No surprises. Just destruction. 9-1.

Final two games are home for Indiana and Michigan State. Indiana started to rise last season, then lost their best weapon in James Hardy. And honestly, that's all it takes sometimes for a team to slide for a couple years (did someone just say MRob-Morelli backslide?). Still rolling, we put ourselves in good position to play for a BCS bowl.

Season ends with Michigan State, like normal. And this might be the only game that surpasses Illinois for the most exciting game of the season. In the off chance we find a way to sweep through that "Amen Corner" of games, this game will carry a lot. And it still will otherwise, as a solid bowl game and revenge for a horrible loss last season hang in the balance. If we enter 11-0, well, trying for 12-0 is something kinda special too. No matter what, I expect the energy to be high all around for this game, and while Michigan State is getting better, they are easily beatable.

So through this analysis, I've got them going 11-1. While I'd like to err on the side of caution and call it 10-2, I think being cautious went out the window in 2005. And with the way the Big Ten is shaping up, going 11-1 (7-1) may still win us the Big Ten title and keep us in the running for the BCS Championship game. 10-2 likely forces us to fight Illinois and/or Wisconsin for an At Large BCS bowl game bid. Remember - sometimes it's all about the breaks a team can get. I'm sure there's nobody who will forget what 2 extra seconds added on the clock can do to the outcome of a game.