Clark will compete with Juice and LiC for POY honors.We're counting down the days until kickoff by profiling a different Big Ten team each week. We decided to switch up the order to reflect 11W's predicted finish for the upcoming season, which can be found here and we'll also reach out to fellow bloggers for their inside opinion on important matters.
This week we take a look at Ohio State's toughest competition for a Big Ten title, the Penn State Nittany Lions. The two teams shared the title last year and PSU is going for their first ever back to back B10 titles.
This is going to be an interesting season for the Lions, they have only 9 starters back from their 11-2 team last year, but do add the services of LB Sean Lee. PSU has to replace their top 3 receivers on offense and 8 of their top 12 tacklers from last year. They do return some of the top talent in the conference and their schedule sets up very nice, which makes the game November 7th a battle for the conference title.
COACHING: Joe Paterno is entering his 44th year as head coach, compiling a record of 383-127-3 record. As long as he doesn't attempt any field goals in practice, he should be back on the sidelines this year.
OFFENSE: The Nittany Lions will be fine at QB and RB, boasting perhaps the best backfield in the Big Ten. After bursting on the scene in 2008, Daryll Clark is back for his senior season, looking to improve upon his 192 of 321 for 2592 yards and 19 touchdowns. Most Penn State fans were mystified when Clark wasn't named the preseason conference POY, but his top 3 receivers are gone and he must show he can raise the game of his unproven replacements.
Evan Royster should be the best back in the conference this season and might be the only RB to enter the POY talk. Royster ran for 1236 yards last year, on an average of 6.5 YPC and scored 12 touchdowns. Penn State will spread the field once again, so teams won't be able to load up in the box against Royster, but if Clark can't synch with the new receivers, teams will load up as the season progresses. Spelling Royster will be sophomore Stephfon Green, who averaged 5.5 YPC in his 105 totes last season. Throw in the running ability of Clark and their rushing attack is going to be a 3-headed monster, much like Ohio State.
I wasn't able to hook up in time with our friends over at Black Shoe Diaries for their locale expertise, but as you can see from this recent post, one potential problem is the wide receivers. According to BSD, no one coming back averaged more than one catch per game in 2008, with Brett Bracket and his 13 catches leading the way. Graham Zug, who caught a 49-yarder against OSU last year, will bring his 11 catches to the table and is more of a possession receiver. Sophomores Chaz Powell and Derek Moye are also battling for playing time.
The line is breaking in 3 new starters, but most of their 2-deep having playing experience. Penn State's line paved the way for 206 yards per game rushing last year and gave up only 13 sacks, but they'll be hard pressed to match those numbers this year. Stefen Wisniewski will move from guard to center this year and has the chance for post season honors again, after earning 2nd team last season, as does guard Dennis Landolt, who received honorable mention in 2008. Like Ohio State, much of Penn State's success will hinge on the O-Line play.
DEFENSE: The defense will be lead by their linebacking corps, who is slated to be one of the nation's best units this year. Navorro Bowman, who fell on Pyror's fumble, is an absolute beast. He lead the Nittany Lions in tackles last year with 105, adding 12.5 TFL and 4 sacks. He gets some help in Sean Lee, who missed 2008 with a knee injury. Lee has started 26 games in his first three years and registered 138 stops in 2007. Michael Mauti was penciled in as the starter opposite the two studs, but he tore his ACL in a scrimmage last week and is done for the year.
The Lions lost their entire secondary from a year ago. Seniors AJ Wallace and Knowledge Timmons will have the edge to start the season, but a couple of freshmen might factor into the mix, especially since Wallace may get suspended for the first couple of games. The safety positions should be manned by a couple of redshirt sophomores, Andrew Daily and Drew Astorino. Daily played in 12 games last year, but recorded limited stats, while Astorino made 39 stops and 2 picks.
The D-Line also took some heavy hits, when Aaron Maybin and Maurice Evans bolted for the NFL. Returning is DT's Jared Odrick and Ollie Ogbu, who combined for 58 stops and 6.5 sacks. Odrick is probably the best tackle in the B10 and will be gunning for his second straight first team honors. Behind them is a group of 4-5 players that can rotate in. The ends are a young group, but will be lead by senior Jerome Hayes, who also is returning from a knee injury.
KEY GAME: November 7, Ohio State: Penn State should have little problem getting to this game undefeated, playing 6 of their first 7 at home and scheduling a cream puff OOC slate. Much like Ohio State in 2007, the Lions will be considered paper tigers by the rest of the nation due to their schedule. The game can't be played at night, but the winner should win the B10 title.
BEST-CASE: Penn State is guaranteed at least 10 wins and if they beat Ohio State, could easily go undefeated. Their OOC slate is Akron, Syracuse, Temple and Eastern Illinois, whle their only road games of the season are Illinois (Oct. 3), Michigan (Oct. 24), Northwestern (Oct. 31) and Michigan State (Nov. 21), games in which they should be favored in each. They miss Whisky and get Iowa, Indiana, Minnesota and OSU at home. Unless they are ravaged by injuries, I don't see a scenario in which they lose more than 2.
WORST-CASE: This team is breaking in many new starters and it could take them some time to become a solid unit, but they have until October to make that happen. Also, if the secondary can't stop anyone, the team could get into a few shootouts, which could allow a few teams to hang around. I think Penn State fans will tell you anything below 11-1 and a BCS game will be the worst case for this team.
Comments
Good preview. But I believe Givens is no longer with PSU.
I just dont see PSU being as good as last year. With their B+ recruiting, they are a little more hit or miss when it comes to replacing starters. Seems new groups have to gel for a year before they are good. This doesn't totally mean they have no shot at the B11 crown, but with roadies at ILL, scUM, and the Nerds, I see them dropping two games this year. They usually get caught napping at least once, dont expect that vs. OSU though.
Oh, they'll be plenty up for tOSU. Especially in HV.
Clark will be a mediocre QB this year without Shipley calling the shots, and the trio of receivers. Norwood alone was worth JoePa's weight in gold to their HD offense. Im intrigued to see what the season brings for PSU. Paper "Tigers" indeed. Bring on the haters from BSD in 3......2.......
PSU will be really good. They'll be a tough mountain to climb for TP & Co. Hopefully the boys can bring home the B10 championship though
You left out that PSU has to travel to East Lansing to face MSU, which will not be an easy win.
Correct, Givens is now at Rutgers and will play for Greg Schiano this year
Yeah, these comments are going to turn into a whining session by PSU fans. I expect them to whine about any and all of the following:
1. How their weak schedule isn't their fault and the media beats them up too much over it.
2. How Clark or Royster deserved preseason offensive POY more than Pryor.
3. How they think that PSU shouldn't have to share the '08 Big Ten crown with OSU.
4. How everyone is making too much of the fact that they lost (a) their entire starting receiving corps, (b) their entire secondary, and (c) most of their offensive line.
I think Penn State will have their star power in Royster, Clark, Johnson, Lee, Bowman, etc., but will really struggle to replace their O-Line, receivers, and secondary, as well as guys like Maybin and Maurcie Evans.....Factor in my theory that TP is going to take last year's loss so personally that I just can't see us losing that game this year....PSU will be able to reload like us in the future if they get classes like the one they have in 2010, but up until this point I don't think they can reload the way we have this year at some important positions....I see PSU skating past their ooc schedule, losing to us and either Michigan or Michigan State on the road and possibly dropping one more game...that being said i'll go with 10-2 for the Lions and tied for second in the conference at 6-2 with Iowa or MSU
Can you refresh my memory on the Givens story?
You forgot they'll also post that picture of Pryor with his head down after the game last year. You know, because you're a pussy if you're upset when you lose.
I've never seen people so concerned with a preseason award.
I've never seen a fanbase so irritated that a recruit chose another school as PSU fans are with Pryor for choosing OSU.
Hilarious.
Honestly, they may have a bone to pick over 2, but jesus, it's a pre-season award an means exactly nothing. It's politics, Pryor is semi-celebrity nationwide, his exposure is good for recruiting to the big ten as a whole.
I think PSU should have the crown solo, we each had one loss, they won the head to head, why is that complicated?
as far as 1 and 4 go, they need to admit there is serious questions there, when they lose guys like Maybin, and the best trio of recievers anywhere, since Gonzales, Holmes and Ginn.
I think Illinois will play PSU extremely tough this year. PSU has a very green secondary and if Juice passes only moderately more accurately than he usually does to his cadre of stud WRs, Illini could potentially roll up serious yardage on PSU. Illini will also have faced more big game tests at that point than PSU, having already tangled with Mizzou (although they will be shadows of their former Daniel-Maclin selves) and Ohio State in the 'Shoe by October 3rd. Of course, Illini could be seriously banged up after the game against the Buckeyes. If they stay healthy, I look for Illini to surprise a lot of people and beat PSU; I doubt MSU can beat the Nits, and I do think we will eek out a win in Happy Valley if only because Pryor won't accept anything less after his fumble last year. PSU finishes 10-2 and goes to the Cap One bowl.
I agree that Illinois will be tough. Out of their five toughest games (@MSU, @Illinois, @Northwestern, home against OSU, and home against Iowa), I think PSU will be lucky to win three.
I could see PSU tripping up in a classic trap between who-knows Michigan and us at home. That's right, the Northwestern Wildcats at 430 EST in Evanston on Halloween. Depending on how NU can mitigate their early tests (MSU and Minn), this could be the the breaking point to *gasp* 9-0. Of course, with an 8-0 (top 15-20) team on the line for PSU, you would think they would show up but who knows. With a win vs SC and Ill (assumed smooth sailing otherwise) we would be sitting at #2-3 and it could still be their looming thought process. Unfortunately for us, NU beating PSU would take the outright conference title out of our hands once again. So, not wishing it will happen just saying I think it could.
Not this season, but I can't believe their "road" game "at" Indiana's new stadium (the house that Danny Snyder Built) in Landover, MD in 2010.
Though not relevant to this year's team, what a farce. I understand Indiana is hurting for money, but they just gave up a home game in the BT season to play PSU around DC. Brain morons.
Meh. I wouldn't say they'll be lucky to win three of those... though three sounds about right. They'll beat Iowa at home at night early in the season. It's crazy to think they won't beat Northwestern even though Fitzgerald has that thing turning around. Illinois is a trap game, I think, since it comes right after Iowa, who beat them last year. Should be an early measuring stick for Penn State. OSU is obviously the big game and it comes later in the season... could be for the title. The there's Michigan State, the puzzler... how good will they be this year? Gotta give Penn State the benefit of the doubt that they'll win that one, particularly if the title is still on the line. So, three wins out of those five is a pretty safe bet.
Freak did a little work with the Tressel picture you sent him....
http://www.everydayshouldbesat...
I believe he filled all the NCAA requirements, but not Penn State's.
Requirements for admission, if that was unclear.
Colin Cowherd and Todd McShay were just blasting us on the radio saying that our O-line is fat and slow and that there is no way that Pryor is a top player in the country when he had to share duty in the bowl game last year.
Colin Cowherd has replaces Trev Alberts in my book. Can't stand him.
they're concerned about it because they are penn state.
them and that tired-assed white out BS.
I'm sure this has been talked about, but James Laurinaitis will be the starting middle linebacker for the Rams this season. Pretty awesome. I will definitely miss watching that guy, on and off the field.
I mean, just LOOK at him
http://thebiglead.com/wp-conte...
For every pic of Pryor with his head down, I could find a thousand photos of PSU losers after years of ass whippings. There is a reason we are constantly voted higher, its because we are relevant evry year, not every 3 or 4.
They cherish that photo so much, theyve photo shopped it into some kind of Obama satire. How many PSU losers have that as their wall paper?
Cowherd and Skip Bayless are two left coast guys who are both consistently stupid and consistently anti-Big Ten/Midwest. The response with these guys is to immediately tune them out (switch tv or radio station). TP will get the last laugh.
I hate them both...
and Craig James on ABC. Flutie can be kind of a bitch too.
why no teaming up with the guys at one of the PSU blogs for this preview?
Two words for ya:
TOO-COUNTRY
Buckeys, Lions, and Big 10 (or 11) are the jokes of the BCS conferences. Play some real teams will ya? What happened, were the schedules for Chattanooga High School and Mothers against Drunk Driving full? You had to go with some other cupcakes? OSU played 3 ranked tams last year and got beat by all 3 teams. Play a real schedule. After USC kicks your ass again, I hope to all that is holy that we do not have to hear about OSU still being a elite team. Your conference is a joke (what's your bowl record over the past 5 years? Why is your conference guaranteed two BCS games every year? The BCS absolutely has to get rid of Delaney.
Go Trojans!
"play some real teams?" Unless you meant "Go (Troy State) Trojans," I think you just slammed your own team.
PSU had one of the best OL in the country last year. They always seem to do a good job plugging in new personel, but there is bound to be a dropoff on the OL, possibly a very significant downgrade. Combine that w/ the WR losses, let's see how D. Clarke does under duress this year.
Figures a USC Troll would find their way onto a Penn State preview. How's the PAC-10 doing? Do they even have another ranked team?
Apparently our program has had more than enough success that you devoted and entire website/blog to hating on us. You sir, are the definition of a douchebag.
Good point. PSU's offensive line would have made me look like a pretty decent QB last year.
yeah Bucknut...Pac 10 has 3 more teams ranked. Check out Oregons out of conference schedule: Boise State, Utah, and Purdue. The Purdue game is a guaranteed win as they represent the big 10-11, or whatever you guys are this year. Boise State and Utah are both ranked and both finished with better records than OSU last year. Once again, what is your conference record for bowl games over the past 5 years?
take another toke bud. if you call beating up on old women, division II teams, and defunct division I teams, then you sire are correct. You are quite successful.
Dude. You started a blog to hate on someone else's team. What the hell is wrong with you? I'm certain you don't have anything better do, so I will ask you this: do you jerk it to furry or hentai?
i came here to make this comment, thank you
Come play us sunshine! I can't wait to watch Barkley for a couple years though at USC, and then watch his pretty boy ass get knocked around in the NFL. Sanchez better save that "soft" reputation that the rest of you QBs have. Don;t know if he will, cause he looked like a deer staring at headlights when ray lewis was coming after him. (He did bounce back a bit though)
I dont mind Skip because sometimes he says some funny things. Codouche on the other hand can suck it. I bet his shitty show gets canceled befroe the end of the year.
Oregon State/Stanford. That is all.
Did you hear Cowherd say Herbstreit invited him to the OSU/SC game? Apparently he's too cheap to stay at a hotel so he's crashing at Herbstreit's.
Im sorry but Herbie is reaching douchebag status, I mean working with the guy is one thing, but pal-ing around with the guy?
The problem with "the herd" and ESPN is that they cater to the casual sportsfan, they think everybody likes the Yankees and the Cowboys.
As far as Im concerned he can keep his mainstream ass out of the Shoe. I know if I saw him there, Id have something to say.
Exactly buckeye, exfuckinzactly.
SC just named Barkley the starter in the season opener....
This guy below me has a lot of balls.
Hey if U$C is so wonderful, why the hell haven't they played for a national championship game since 2005? Is it because they lose to a team they shouldn't EVERY SINGLE YEAR. And last year didn't you lose to a team that Penn St beat the living hell out of and yea i know about the Rose Bowl, whipped cream on shit if you ask me, and Florida would have beaten you 44-10 in the MNC anyway. The pac-10 blows and you know it, Oregon is a joke don't bring that shit to the table they aren't relevant and you clowns shouldnt worry about them, better get ready for Stanford, those seem to be the games that get you. I hope your ass is at the shoe this year, little Barkley will get his blonde haired head handed to him.
The Big Ten is guaranteed one BCS bowl game: The Rose Bowl. After that, they are like any other at large team. Why doesn't the Pac-10 have two teams in every year? Let's look at last year. USC was going to the Rose Bowl of course instead of the NCG because as usual they choked on a hairball against a conference team. Oregon was the #2 Pac-10 team, however ranked at #17, they could not qualify to play in a BCS bowl. Ohio State at #10, got an at large bid for the Fiesta Bowl. The Pac-10 bowl wins besides the Rose Bowl were against Pitt, Miami, Ok. State and BYU. No wonder they went 5-0. Your conference had ONE BCS bowl eligible team last year, ONE. God, I thought the SEC fans were bad, but they can at least back up some of their smack.
Mark May and Andre Ware make me mute the TV.
No surprise there. JL didn't miss a game his entire career at tOSU. Good man.
Made me laugh for like 10 minutes this morning.
Corp must be more injured than USC is letting on to the media. They can puff up Barkley all they want, but no team in the world will want to start a true freshman QB in their second game ever (if you can call San Jose State a game) in the 'Shoe at night against a top 10 team that is hell bent on redemption and DESTROYING EVERYTHING MOVING.
That being said, USC still has plenty of talent to win and I believe they will win. But it should make for an interesting game.
The thing about that is he has to stay objective. F #ck Andre Ware though, and I agree Herbie shouldn't be hosting him. Cowherd, who I like most of the time,is a bigger bandwagon a bigger bandwagon jumper than my wife's flaky ass cousin, who I swear bought a Buckeye hat after the 02 season. I wanted to kill him. Let's call him "Normie".
OT, but SEC, isn't it about time we start calling Tebow Bronc Burnett?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B...
That was meant as a comment BTW.
Our chances just got a whole lot better.
In other news, Thaddeus Gibson says his favorite thing to eat for breakfast is true freshman quarterbacks. More at 11.
Ewing Theory.
Beanie is gone. Offense can do its thing without having to go through Beanie and his bum ankle/leg/wrist/whole body. Their defense lost everybody. Now their ridiculously talented offense has as its linchpin a true frosh QB playing in his first real game at the shoe at night. No thanks. I'll put the money on us for this one.
that being said, jump off a cliff.
That being said, someone needs to chill the frick out
I don't know if I agree with that... I don't think our chances changed for the good or the bad. Matt might be a Freshman, but I'm sure Surfer Pete feels that he gives them the best chance to win.
Perhaps, but I only think he feels that way because Corp injured himself. If Corp was healthy, Pete would be starting him instead of Barkley.
All I hear on the radio here in LA is how many INT Barkley throws in practice. None of the local sports radio guys thought that he would be the starter if Corp was ready to go.
I think this helps the buckeyes out.... as long as we can get pressure up front.
If we can pressure him with four - and I think we will - the odds of us pulling this one out double.
crap, posed without my complete thought or my name... oh well
I think this game rests on our d-line in a big way. they need to get pressure on the quarterback regardless of who he is. Whether it's Barkley or Corp they're both green and need to be given a good ol fashioned Columbus Welcome
Anyone else tired of speculating themselves and/or listening to the talking heads speculate on tv or radio?
so close but yet so far away
did bronc burnett have a plaque on the outside of the stadiums he played in that had some retarded quote from him while he was still in school?!?!
seriously though, that tebow plaque just irks me.
You know what irks me? Pants. Don't you hate pants?
Not pants so much, as shorts that USED to be pants. Affectionatly known by 'JiC aka SEC aka Gator Chomp' as his Sunday Best. Or Jorts if you wanna be a dick about it.
I forgot to add this, it's a must read, even the fake circumcision part...
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/...
Love the Simpsons reference.
NUGE!
Hartline with a nice grab, but a penalty...
Honestly, He doesn't have to stay objective at all. Lou Holtz picked Notre Dame for the BCS title game. Chris Fowler loves all things SEC. Go to basketball and you'll have Digger Phelps always on Notre Dame, not to mention Dick Vitale and his love for what ever team happens to be the best in North Carolina each year.
I read an interview with Herbie and they asked him which school was his favorite to visit, and he said any school in the SEC. They are so much more passionate about their teams. Whether it's Knoxville and their pregame traditions or tailgating int he Grove. I swear that's what he said. In my book, he has been ESPN-ized lol. Just once, I'd love to see him not be objective on the network full of people who are never objective.
Yes, I'm ready for Navy! I'm so excited the season is about to start, but it goes so fast lol.
Yeah but that guy can't walk on water, cure the blind, or turn water into wine. Te-Bone can. And he can give a man with mullet and cut off jean shorts a boner.
oops that was meant to be a response down below
Anybody think Matt Barkley looks like Dawson from Dawson's Creek? Hope he chokes like Moxon pre-walk out on the coach
Herbie is scared to death to NOT be objective, Cowherd is objective towards everyone BUT USC.