In part three of this three-part series previewing Penn
State’s upcoming 2016 season we take a look at how this season could turn out
to be really bad. I’ve touched on how the season can go really good, so this is
the pessimistic side of things.
On offense you lose quarterback Christian Hackenberg to the
NFL and while Hackenberg wasn’t the Heisman Trophy caliber player I once
thought he could be, and that had a lot to do with the coaching staff and
system, he was still the most talented quarterback to be at Penn State in the
last 20 years. Besides quarterback the Nittany Lions have a glaring question
mark at offensive line. It’s been a question mark for the last two season and
if I’m putting it lightly, the unit had been a complete dumpster fire with no
sign of anyone being able to put it out. The offensive line gave up a
staggering 39 sacks last season, that following a season where they gave up 44
sacks. If they can’t get that number down to at least 20 then it could be a long season. So with that said,
let’s take a look at how this season could end up being really bad.
Saquon Barkley is undeniably the most important player on
Penn State’s offense just based on his ability. If the offensive line can’t
open up holes for the freshman sensation, then it won’t matter how great he can
be. A talent like Barkley is rare and it would be unfortunate to waste such a
talent. Everything this team can do on offense is predicated on what the offensive
line can do. It’s been year three for this unit, or most of it, so fans should
expect some progress. If no progress
is made, then we could go from a 7 or 8-win team, maybe 9, to a 3 or 4-win
team. Joe Moorhead’s offensive production at Fordham the last three seasons has
been above and beyond what Penn State has been able to do.
- Fordham’s offense: 37.6 PPG
- Penn State’s offense: 23.2 PPG
It’ll be interesting to see how the offense does. We all try
and remain optimistic about what they can do and hope that they don’t give up
10 sacks in one game.
- Worst Case: The offensive line still struggles to find the right combination and gives up multiple sacks per game. Quarterbacks have no time to throw, Barkley and running backs can’t find holes. Offense stays stagnant all season.
The defense for Penn State is something I’m not too worried about but I am worried about
a few things: having to replace Austin Johnson, Anthony Zettel, and Carl Nassib
is going to be a tall order for whoever is up front. The depth at linebacker
could prove to be an issue should Brandon Bell, Nyeem Wartman-White, or Jason
Cabinda suffer injury (knock on wood). In the secondary it’s Marcus Allen’s
unit. He is the name that everyone knows and is the leader of the group but
John Reid isn’t far behind. The worrisome part of the secondary is that Reid
has a sophomore slump and Allen lets his emotions get the best of him. Penn
State’s defense has never been an issue and you’d hope this year is no different
but with question marks up front, that could put pressure on the linebackers
and secondary to make more plays than they have to.
- Worst Case: No one on the defensive line can become the man. Pressure gets to linebackers and secondary which causes each unit to suffer and not make the plays needed.
Special teams. Or, you know, lack of. Penn State will never
be known for having the best special team’s units in the country, and probably
won’t be mentioned among the best in the conference. In football, no matter
what level, having a good special teams can be the difference between winning
and losing. And that goes for the return game, kickoff and punt teams, and the
kicking/punting game. The last two seasons Penn State has struggled in all
phases. I’m not saying they need Devin Hester returning punts and kickoffs and
scoring every time, but someone who can get the offense good field position. I
can’t even begin to tell you how hard it is watching someone stand back there
and call for a fair catch 90% of the time. It’s even harder to watch someone
stand back there who you think can be a playmaker, and they drop the punt.
Brutal. Having a kicker who can put the ball in the endzone on kickoffs and one
that can put it through the uprights is kind of important too. Penn State has
been missing that as well in recent years. A good punter too, you need that. I’m
hoping that we won’t have to kick field goals or punt the ball that often but
in the event we do, I’d hope that we have a good kicker and punter.
- Worst Case: Our kicker and punter are absolutely heinous again. Our return game is non-existent, again.
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