Skinny - After falling short of a possible National Championship bid compliments of a 24-23 loss to Iowa, the Nittany Lions went on to win the Big Ten title but got embarrassed in the Rose Bowl. Can they compete for a second Big Ten title in two years with a new secondary, wide receiver corps, and a remodeled offensive line?
Strength - Linebacker
Penn State returns All Big-Ten LB Navorro Bowman, a freakish athlete, and regains Sean Lee from an ACL injury that kept him from playing last season. Both players have All-American potential, but the key to the LB unit is the third backer. Sophomore Michael Mauti appears to have the position if Lee makes the suspected move to MLB, while the former starting MLB Josh Hull and LB Nate Stupar will challenge for the last spot. Mauti has drawn comparisons to former Penn State LB Dan Connor.
Weakness - Secondary
The Nittany Lions lose all four starters from a unit that got eaten alive by Mark Sanchez and the USC Trojans in Pasadena. Safety Drew Astorino played significant minutes last year and may have been Penn State's best defensive back last season in the role of nickelback. CB AJ Wallace was a highly touted recruit, but can he finally rid himself of the nagging injuries and become the corner everyone billed him out to be? CB Knowledge Timmons has the speed, but lacks the focus necessary for a shutdown corner. D'Anton Lynn figures to challenge Timmons for the starting role, and while he may have a bright future he may not be ready for the big time. True freshman Gerald Hodges appears to be in similar mold to Taylor Mays, but if he isn't ready in pass coverage Nick Sukay or Andrew Dailey will have to step up for the Lions to compete for the repeat.
Key Game - 11/7/09 Ohio State
Both teams have a very good shot at being undefeated in conference play for this late season match-up, and with the Nittany Lions not having a marquee non-conference match-up this game could be the biggest potential stumbling block in an attempt for a National Championship run.
Key Player - AJ Wallace
If Wallace can become the shutdown corner that Penn State fans expected of him on signing day in 2006, he would take a lot of pressure off a unit that should be attacked time and time again during the season. If Wallace can force teams to respect the pass defense and make them run the ball more, the defense can thrive on its strength in the front 7, especially up the middle. Luckily for the Lions, the Big Ten does not have a strong stable of QBs and the best one happens to be on this team.
Impact Freshman - S Gerald Hodges
Predicted Big Ten Finish - 1st
Top 5 players
1. LB Navorro Bowman
2. DT Jared Odrick
3. QB Daryll Clark
4. LB Sean Lee
5. RB Evan Royster
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