2010 Big Ten football preview: Penn State Nittany Lions

Older than dirt.

The first thought that crosses everyone’s mind when discussing Penn State football is “How long is that old curmudgeon, Joe Paterno going to coach?”  Well folks, he is still patrolling the sidelines getting in the ear of officials on bad calls and still leading one of the most prestigious college football programs in America.  Joe Pa is entering his 45^th year at the helm of the Nittany Lions and he has no intention of giving up the reins anytime soon.  College football’s all-time winningest coach should pass the 400^th career win during the Big Ten season.  Hell, he’s just getting broken in!

There are many similarities between Penn State and Ohio State.  Both programs have long, proud traditions.  They both play in stadiums that seat over 100,000 and they reside in very fertile high school football states that produce a considerable amount of talent.  They both have a single Big East school (Pittsburgh) to compete for recruits in the state.  The one major difference is that the Buckeyes have dominated the Big Ten the last five years while PSU has been good but not great.

Penn State does have to break in a new quarterback which will slow the progress of the offense.  Graduation also wiped out their linebacking corps at Linebacker U.  This should make for some early season uneasiness as inexperienced players move up the learning curve.  The Lions open with a visit from Youngstown State.  The only good thing for YSU is that it is a paycheck.  They will make the short trip home in body bags.  The real season starts in week 2 as Penn State heads to the Deep South for a huge inter-sectional matchup with defending national champions, the Alabama Crimson Tide.  Roll Tide will be the common theme of this tussle.  Tuscaloosa is no place for inexperienced quarterbacks to receive their baptism under fire.  The Nittany Lions return home for contests against two MAC schools in Kent State and Temple.  The Owls could make the Lions break a sweat but two victories are likely.

The Big Ten season opens with a bang as the Lions invade Iowa City for a huge early matchup with the Iowa Hawkeyes.  Iowa returns the best defense in the Big Ten and an experienced QB in Ricki Stanzi.  They also have a stable of competent running backs.  The Lions will be pussy cats in this brawl.  The schedule turns easier with home games against Illinois, Michigan, and Northwestern sandwiched around a road trip to Minnesota.  Those are four winnable games with possible trouble from Northwestern.  A daunting road trip to Columbus against the Big Bad Buckeyes is timed well because their quarterback situation should be settled and their defense should have some seasoning.  Still won’t be enough to knock off Ohio State.  A neutral field game with Indiana follows at Fedex Field in Landover, MD that will have a home crowd feel for Penn State.  The Lions will win but the Hoosiers could offer some stiff resistance.  A home date with Michigan State closes the campaign between two evenly matched teams.  PSU will get the nod due to home field advantage.  Final record (9-3, 6-2 in Big Ten)

Offense

Evan Royster rushed for 1,169 yards last year.

The graduation of quarterback Daryll Clark has left a gaping hole and huge question mark in State College.   The Nittany Lions will be turning the reins over to Kevin Newsome.  He played in ten games last year as Clark’s backup but those minutes were in mop up duty.

There won’t be any mop up time in Tuscaloosa in week two.  As Newsome progresses the fortunes of Penn State’s season lies in the balance.  PSU does return one of the top running backs in the conference and the country in Senior, Evan Royster.  Royster gained almost 1,200 yards in 2009 and averaged over 5 yards per carry.  The Lions do return two very good and experienced wideouts in Derek Moye and Graham Zug.  Curtis Drake will be a new starter at the other wide receiver spot.  Andrew Szczerba will handle the tight end responsibilities.

The offensive line returns three starters one of which is All American candidate Stefen Wisniewski at right guard.  The other returning starters will be Johnnie Troutman at left guard and Lou Eliades at right tackle.  The new starters on the line will be Quinn Barham at left tackle and Doug Klopacz at center.  The line is in a state of flux and Joe Pa called his line during spring practice “very, very average.”

Defense

Penn State graduated considerable defensive talent last year, but weep not for Joe Pa.  The talent stream never ceases at Penn State.  Returning starter Jack Crawford will be a very solid defensive end and new starter Eric Latimore on the other side is highly regarded.  Returning starter Ollie Ogbu and new starter Devon Still will line up at defensive tackle.

The linebacking corps will be all new starters including emerging star Michael Mauti in the middle and flanked by Bani Gbadyu and Nate Stupar on the outside.  Three starters return in the secondary led by D’Anton Lynn at cornerback.  Stephon Morris will be a new starter at the other corner.  The safeties will be returning starters Drew Astorino and Nick Sukay.

Special Teams

Collin Wagner should emerge as the placekicker after hitting 4-4 in the Lions Capital One Bowl victory over LSU.  Anthony Fera will be the punter.  Chaz Powell will handle kickoff returns and Drew Astorino will be the punt returner.

Depth Chart