Penn State Nittany Lions
Projected #3 in Leaders Division
2010 Record: 7-6 (4-4)
The tradition of Penn State football is largely recognized mainly in the Midwest and the East, so maybe that is why I usually have more respect than the Lions than most. After a rebuilding season in 2010 that featured a roller coaster-type quarterback battle, a late season resurgence and a close loss to Florida in the Outback Bowl, it seems like my respect for PSU is coming back into play and I expect them to compete in the top heavy Leaders Division in 2011.
There is no question that Joe Paterno's crew will perform on the defensive side of the ball, as they have seven players returning from a unit that has plenty of talent to spare, especially in the front seven. With seniors such as Jack Crawford - who was injured for half of last season - and Devon Still returning up front, along with linebackers Mike Mauti and Nate Stupar, it should be tough sledding going up against the Lions this season. Last year's group wasn't exactly stellar against the run, as they allowed 166 yards per game on the ground. According to Phil Steele, that is their worst performance in that category since 2003. It also helps that all four players in the secondary return to bolster the improved front seven. In short, I definitely see Penn State's defense improving and becoming one of the best in the Big Ten in 2011.
With defense not being an issue in my humble opinion, then does that mean they'll easily be better than last year overall? Well, it all depends on the play of whoever is the signal caller throughout the season and how he performs, whether it is the young, athletic Rob Bolden or the steady junior Matt McGloin. It should be noted that once McGloin became the starter in Happy Valley, the team rattled off three straight conference wins, gave OSU a hell of a fight in the first half, and eventually won four out of five games before losing to Big Ten co-champ Michigan State - by only 6 points. The talent is there along the offensive line, along with a stable of capable backs and receivers. Derek Moye, despite being on scholarship for what seems to be 11 years now, returns for his final season as the team's leading receiver, while the electric sophomore RB Silas Redd takes over for the school's all-time leading rusher, Evan Royster.
If either Bolden or McGloin can show consistency, then this will be a very dangerous team that could find itself in the conference championship race if they pull off an upset in November. I expect them to lose to Alabama - closer than the experts think, though - but other than that, I believe that every game leading into their final two road games against OSU and Wisconsin are winnable. A win against either rival Ohio State or the Badgers would go a long way in their quest to make the first ever Big Ten Championship Game. I see them dropping a game that they shouldn't due to shaky quarterback play, and I don't see them winning any of their tough road games, so an 8 win season with a bowl win in January sounds just about right to me. I really believe in this team's ability to perform... I just don't know about the quarterback situation. My logical guess: neither does the coaching staff.
Predicted Record: 8-4 (5-3)
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