Penn State Potential: Offense- The Really Good

It’s about that time again, Penn State football is just around the corner, even though we still have 5 weeks, 4 days, and 18 hours (and counting) until kickoff against Kent State, it’s never too early to talk about how the upcoming season might go. Most team’s seasons could go one of two ways, either good or bad. In the case of Penn State this season could be really good or really bad. We discuss both sides.

We start with the really good: 

I try and be optimistic when it comes to Penn State football but recent years have made it tough to do so. I’m going to focus on how Penn State’s season could end up being something fans can be ecstatic about. Let’s start with the offense.

• When you have a player like sophomore running back Saquon Barkley, you need to expose how much of a threat he can be. Barkley is a Le’Veon Bell type-of-back who can not only make plays running the ball but he can catch it out of the backfield. If Barkley can build off his fantastic freshman season then we could be in for a historical season. Get your Heisman ballots ready. There are other names behind Barkley that fans should keep an eye on: redshirt sophomore Mark Allen and true freshman Miles Sanders. Allen is a small, shifty, back who is a threat catching the ball as well. His quickness could also be a factor in the return game. Sanders is a highly-touted recruit who Penn State’s strength coach Dwight Galt says is ready for the college game. Sanders could also be a name you see returning punts/kicks.
• Ideal Situation: Barkley compiles around 1,800 total yards with 15 total touchdowns. Allen and Sanders compile 800 total yards between them.
• For the first time in a long time Penn State has a deep receiving core who can all contribute. You know the names DaeSean Hamilton and Chris Godwin, both All-Big Ten selections in the last two season, but who are the other guys? Saeed Blacknall has had flashes over the last two seasons but with the shaky offensive line and former quarterback Christian Hackenberg not having enough time, the 6’3” junior was never a ‘go-to’ target. Those three will be the top targets for whoever is taking the snaps. Keep an eye on the names, Brandon Polk, DeAndre Thompkins, Juwan Johnson, and Irvin Charles. Johnson and Charles both stand 6’4”, 220-pounds and pose as redzone threats.
• Ideal Situation: One of the first three names I mentioned go over the 1,000-yard mark, OR, the distribution is spread among the 5-6 receivers that could see significant playing time. Polk and Thompson see time at receiver but more time in the return game because of their speed.
• Mike Gesicki is a big target, 6’6”, 252-pounds, and some have said one of the more athletic players on the roster. He had issues with drops last season which he’ll have to eliminate if he wants to be one of the go-to targets for Penn State’s quarterback. Nick Bowers and Jonathan Holland are two other names in the tight end group to keep an eye on.
• Ideal Situation: Gesicki becomes the All-American tight end Penn State hasn’t had since Kyle Brady in the early 90’s. Compiles 800-yards along with 10 touchdowns. 
• Penn State’s offensive line over the last two seasons has been nothing short of pathetic. And I’m being nice when I say that. They’ve given up 83, yes, 83 sacks over since 2014. Including 10 in one game against Temple in 2015. A staggering number I still try and wrap my head around. The offensive line has been a result of guys going from defense to offense, high school football to Big Ten football, or junior college to starting left tackle. The unit must get better, and I mean dramatically better than last year. If they can make the jump from really bad to average, the offense can be a real threat.
• Ideal Situation: The offensive line gives up 20 sacks and opens up massive holes for the running backs. 
• The quarterback situation at Penn State is up in the air according to head coach James Franklin. To be quite honest, whoever is taking snaps for Penn State will have a pretty easy job if you will. The things I’ve previously listed about the offense, if all goes like I’ve spelled it out, will help whoever the quarterback is a significant amount. Trace McSorley came in to replace future second-round pick in the NFL Draft , Christian Hackenberg, in the team’s bowl game against Georgia. The junior threw for 142-yards and 2 touchdowns along with 31 yards on the ground. McSorley seems to be the right fit for new offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead and the way things will be for Penn State’s new offense. As I mentioned, having the talent at running back and at wide receiver will only help the quarterbacks. Keep an eye on redshirt sophomore Tommy Stevens as well who will compete with McSorley for the starting job. Stevens is the bigger of the two (6’4”, 215 to Trace’s 6’0”, 190) but we have yet to see what he can do on the field. Time will tell.
• Ideal Situation: McSorley is the starter is the dual-threat quarterback that Penn State hasn’t had since Michael Robinson. He throws for 2,300 yards and 20 total touchdowns. Trace has more escapability than Hackenberg so if the offensive line sucks he’ll be able to avoid those unfortunate sacks.

Penn State enters their third year under James Franklin but this is really his first year. It’s his first year with a full roster and the first year he has the type of players he needs at most positions. Fans expect the results to show that and while I don’t believe his job will be in question, fans will get restless.