When it comes to being a team, regardless what kind, you should always look to build upon previous success and move forward. Tension can add up and a group can begin to feel the weight of expectations mounting. Anxiety strikes Happy Valley this season as everyone wonders what the post-Saquon era will hold. Familiar faces that we’ve all grown to love are no longer there and we turn towards a younger group of Lions to fill in those black shoes. I am positive central PA has jitters about the coming season, but this 2018 squad aims to calm the fan base’s nerves and then some. With many guys getting some valuable in-game reps last year, PSU should be poised for another solid football season.
Prestige Rating (If NCAA Football Still Existed): 5 Stars
With their rich history and recent success, Penn State is one of the top programs in the country. However, considering the damage done to the university’s legacy by the Sandusky scandal and the absence of National Championships since 1986, I couldn’t give them the full 6 stars.
Last Year’s Record: 11-2 (7-2)
Projected Returning Starters
Offense: 6
QB Trace McSorley, WR Juwan Johnson, OT Will Fries, OT Ryan Bates, OG Steven Gonzalez, C Connor McGovern
There’s no doubt that Saquon Barkley’s departure for New York leaves a pretty big hole in the offense. The workload that he carried will have to be spread out amongst some up and coming athletes. Bringing back their starting quarterback in McSorley certainly helps. However, I find Miles Sanders to be the most important piece to the 2018 campaign.
Defense: 5
DT Kevin Givens, DE Shareef Miller, OLB Koa Farmer, CB John Reid, CB Amani Oruwariye
Up front, Penn State brings in a solid combination of size and speed with returning starters like Kevin Givens and Shareef Miller. For a program that many consider to be “Linebacker U”, there are an awful lot of question marks in the center of the defense this season. The Lions lost their leading tackler in Jason Cabinda and there isn’t much experience in the competition to replace his spot. On the back end of the defense, redshirt junior John Reid brings a twist to the mix as a returning starter from the 2016 season. He was forced to miss all of 2017 with a left knee injury, but reports claim he is back more explosive than ever.
Special Teams: 3
P Blake Gillikin, PR DeAndre Thompkins, KR Miles Sanders
Key Losses
Offensive Coordinator Joe Moorhead, RB Saquon Barkley, WR DaeSean Hamilton, TE Mike Gesicki, MLB Jason Cabinda, S Marcus Allen, CB Grant Haley, and the ever so speedy safety Troy Apke
Five Year Recruiting Rank (Bill Connelly): 16
Alcohol Prediction for Fans by Season’s End: Tito’s Vodka
Although I personally did not have the knowledge to make this pick on my own, I was able to rely on my Student Union family to come through for me. After some careful consideration, I chose Tito’s to represent PSU’s season. As it was described to me, it does more than get the job done. It’s high quality stuff that you definitely wouldn’t be disappointed with; however, you know very well there’s something better out there for you. In my eyes, the Nittany Lions are set up for another great year and could potentially play in another New Year’s Six bowl game. Sadly, I see them missing the playoff for yet another season.
The Tyroil Smoochie-Wallace All Name Team: Yetur Gross-Matos
Penn State had a couple great ones in the running this year, but how couldn’t I pick the guy who’s name reminds me of a rotten vegetable.
Outlook
It’s safe to say State College is more than pumped for the upcoming season. There’s a sense of mystery surrounding this group that gives you the feeling they’ll go out with something to prove. Defensive Coordinator Brent Pry will probably gain some gray hairs this season as the Lions defense will go through some growing pains early on. They took losses on both sides of the ball this offseason with Joe Moorhead heading to Mississippi State and many of the team’s leaders moving on. But the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl last season appeared to be the changing of the guard. Barkley handed Sanders the keys to the car and the Lions will go as far as he takes them. James Franklin and company hope to benefit from another seemingly weak nonconference schedule and the opportunity to host OSU, MSU, Iowa, and Wisconsin. If everything falls into place at just the right time, this could be the year Happy Valley has been waiting for.