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