| Spring practices are in the books and fall camps will be | | | | defense. Plenty of key players need to be replaced |
| here before you know it so that means getting an | | | | but returning are linebackers Paul Posluszny, the 2005 |
| early jump on the 2006 NCAA football season. | | | | Butkus Winner, Dan Connor and Tim Shaw, forming |
| Knowing the teams now will save you time in August | | | | the best middle in the nation. They will have to carry |
| and Matt Fargo is here to help you get a grasp of | | | | the unit until the rest of the defense comes together. |
| what to expect this upcoming year. We go from | | | | The defensive line has just one starter coming back |
| worst to first in this 2006 College Football Preview. | | | | but seniors Jim Shaw and Ed Johnson will make |
| #26 - Penn St. Nittany Lions 11-1 SU; 8-4 ATS | | | | impacts right away. Even though the secondary has to |
| Fargo's Take A last second touchdown was the | | | | replace everyone, the cornerbacks have the potential |
| difference for the Nittany Lions against Michigan and | | | | to be great led by super sophomore Justin King, the |
| an undefeated 2005 season. Barring that, Penn St. | | | | top defensive back recruit last season. The safety |
| would have been 12-0 and had a shot at the National | | | | positions will be manned by two seniors. Creating a |
| Championship but that would have meant three | | | | pass rush will be vital for the entire unit and if they |
| undefeated teams and we all know the problems that | | | | come even close to last year's 41 sacks, great things |
| could have caused so maybe it was for the best. The | | | | can happen again. |
| Nittany Lions will be hard-pressed to match last | | | | Schedule The schedule does not bode well for a quick |
| season's performance but they do have enough to | | | | start as trips to Notre Dame and Ohio St., the top two |
| make a run at the Big Ten title. Replacing Big Ten | | | | teams in the country by many, take place in two of |
| Offensive Player of the Year Michael Robinson at | | | | the first four weeks. The other two games in that |
| quarterback will be difficult but Anthony Morelli has the | | | | stretch are easy home contests against Akron and |
| tools to be a special player. The defense has to | | | | Youngstown St. while the fourth and final |
| replace most of the front four and the entire | | | | non-conference game is near the end of the season |
| secondary but Penn St. possesses the best | | | | against Temple. The Nittany Lions host Northwestern |
| linebacking corps not only in the conference, but in the | | | | and travel to Minnesota before returning home and |
| entire country. A letdown from last season should not | | | | getting a chance at some payback against Michigan. |
| happen as the Nittany Lions look to be back for good. | | | | The remaining Big Ten schedule is not over difficult |
| Returning Starters on Offense - 5 Morelli does not | | | | with the two toughest games being at Purdue and at |
| have very much experience but his stock is high and | | | | Wisconsin. Indiana and Iowa are missing from the |
| his spring performance gives the team a lot of | | | | schedule for a second straight season. Another |
| optimism heading into the season. Unlike Robinson, he | | | | challenge is the fact that Penn St. must play all 12 |
| is a pure passer so the rushing element from that | | | | games without a single bye week in the mix. |
| position is gone but the passing game should improve | | | | You can bet on... Penn St. fans are hoping that another |
| immensely. The biggest concern on the offense is | | | | 2003 doesn't take place. After a very successful 2002 |
| having to replace four starters on the line but there is | | | | campaign, the Nittany Lions fell off hard, winning just |
| some decent experience coming in. Tailback Tony | | | | three games the next season and prompting questions |
| Hunt is back after rushing for 1,047 yards last season | | | | about whether it was time for head coach Joe |
| and his output will be important early on. The top four | | | | Paterno to hang it up. He certainly quelled that talk last |
| receivers are back including the top three wideouts led | | | | year but another dropoff could mean the end is near. |
| by sophomore Derrick Williams who could be in for a | | | | The Nittany Lions went 3-0 against the number as |
| breakout campaign. The Nittany Lions finished 13th in | | | | underdogs last season and are 16-10 ATS in that role |
| the country in scoring offense with 34.4 ppg and | | | | since 2001. The two opportunities to capitalize on that |
| matching that average will be a challenge but if Morelli | | | | will come early against Notre Dame and Ohio St. The |
| learns quickly, it is possible. | | | | latter could pose a problem for Penn St. however as |
| Returning Starters on Defense - 4 Penn St. had one | | | | the road team is 0-8 against the number in the last |
| of the best defenses in the country last season, | | | | eight meetings between the two. |
| finishing 12th in total defense and 10th in scoring | | | | |