Early look: What to like about No. 8 Penn State in 2017
Each week, USA TODAY Sports will give a more detailed look at the teams listed on our early top 25 for the 2017 college football season.
Up next: No. 8 Penn State. Last year’s team reached the Rose Bowl, completing the program’s breakthrough under James Franklin. With an outstanding offense in place, the 2017 Nittany Lions are equipped to earn a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Why No. 8?
1. The offense. Another full offseason in Joe Moorhead’s system essentially ensures that Penn State’s offense will remain one of the best in the Big Ten, if not one of the best in the country. It makes sense to assume an even stronger unit, in fact, due to this experience — since the offense was pretty dynamic in 2016, wouldn’t it be even more explosive and consistent with an increased grasp of the scheme? Yes, that makes sense.
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2. The running back. One of the nation’s best players resides in the Nittany Lions’ backfield: Saquon Barkley has sights set on breaking every rushing record in program history, from the career mark — a virtual certainty, barring injury — to Larry Johnson’s single-season record. When all else fails, Barkley gives Penn State that rare talent with the ability to singlehandedly shoulder the load. In other words, this team’s best is better than your team’s best.
3. Depth. No team pegged for a top-10 finish has any real depth issues, to be honest. But perhaps no other team in the entire FBS has truly added as much to its depth chart in the past two or three recruiting cycles as Penn State, which can tout a two-deep — and even a three-deep at some key spots — unlike any in the program’s post-sanctions era. An almost weekly issue for the Nittany Lions during the first years under Franklin, depth is now an asset, not a potential Achilles' heel.
Why not higher?
1. Offensive line. This is going to the deepest offensive line of Franklin’s tenure and very likely his best. Those statements do come with a caveat: Penn State’s line has been average at best during the past three years, and often worse. So there’s enormous room for improvement before the Nittany Lions trot out a front capable of handling those teams similarly battling for a top-four finish. Having said that, Franklin and line coach Matt Limegrover bring back six players with past starting experience, have a very clear answer at center and will add another handful of true and redshirt freshmen into the mix. So while the line has much to prove, it could end up being a strong spot for the offense.
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2. Run defense. Penn State gave up 3.84 yards per carry last fall, a fairly solid total, and held four opponents to under 50 yards on the ground (all wins, obviously). But the front seven and the run defense as a whole struggled early, gashed by Pittsburgh and Michigan, and after an outstanding run during the heart of Big Ten play was pushed around in a win against Wisconsin to claim the conference title. As with the offensive line, the defense’s ability to stop the run isn’t some enormous issue or concern — but it may be something that separates this team from the elite.
Biggest games
►Vs. Michigan, Oct. 21
►At Ohio State, Oct. 28
►At Michigan State, Nov. 4
Three players to know
1. WR Juwan Johnson. One of the breakout stars of the spring, Johnson has carved out a concrete role as the bigger receiver in the rotation.
2. CB Lamont Wade. The five-star true freshman will play in 2017. The only question is how much. As of now, he’ll probably start as the third or fourth cornerback and earn immediate snaps in certain defensive packages.
3. LB Jason Cabinda. One of the nation’s best linebackers that no one is talking about, Cabinda is an all-conference lock and a contender for national awards.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM SPRING GAMES
