Coach Joseph Paterno (no, Lion fan he's not the Joesph referred to when exclaiming: Jesus, Mary and Joseph) has averaged about 9 wins a year at PSU for 40 plus years. It's the most obvious way to keep a job, people: consistent excellence. Give him time to prepare, (i.e. for bowl games) and he'll deal on you. After a few down years ('03 and '04) the Detective Columbo doppelganger started recruiting speed more heavily, and it has raised his football I.Q. once again.Best Player: (#40) - MLB - Dan Connor - 6-3 - 233 - CB Justin King also was a consideration, but this is linebacker U and Connor is the real deal. JoPa will slide Connor inside to take over for Paul Posluszny, which will also get the very talented OLB Tyrell Sales on the field. Connor has been a day one contributor, and Ohio State's James Laurinaitus is the only guy I can think of who is in Connor's class at the MLB spot in the nation
Player to watch: (#2) - WR - Derrick Williams - 6-0 - 203 - OC Galen Hall has moved Williams all over the field in attempts to get him the ball, and along with Deon Butler he gives PSU a salty WR corps. He is a legitimate 4.2 guy, and a game changer. He also returns punts
Player successful season most hinges on: (#14) - QB - Anthony Morelli - 6-4 -232 - One of my PSU contacts has referred to Morelli as "kind of a dunce", which can't be comforting for Lion fan. His football I.Q. will increase with some help from a developing O-line. He has an absolute cannon for an arm, and is one tough hombre. If RB Austin Scott (5th year senior) will finally live up to his 5 star prospect billing, Morelli will get even smarter
Why they will win the Big 10: The young D-line steps up and they find a way to win at the Big House by stopping Michigan's potent O. Austin Scott having a Larry Johnson type season would take this from a lofty goal to a realistic reality
Why they won't: Michigan gets them at Ann Arbor, and it seems like PSU hasn't beaten the Wolverines in a decade or so. UM's streak is likely to continue, but it's no slam dunk as PSU is very capable of winning this game
Predicted Record: 11-1, Big 10 runner-up, BCS Bowl
4 comments:
wow 11-1, i'm gonna have to peak at their sked and pick another loss
Your boys in maize and blue are gonna be that loss, E P. Wisky and Buckeye have a crack at 'em, but PSU gets those boys at State College
11-1 is lofty, but I like it. I think Morelli will have a good season ... I'm worried about Austin Scott, though. He has had injury and motivational issues since he got here, and PSU did not do a very good job recruiting RB's the past few seasons.
I remember when LJohnson was criticized by DVermiel for jaking it, and he turned out ok. The book is still out on AScott, but it's not closed yet.
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