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