CFN Pre-season

While CFN has yet to make an official prediction (it is only May!), Pete Fiutak has already taken a look into the upcoming 2008 season . . .

In the last four years, Penn State has won 40 games in the last, won two Big Ten titles, won an Orange Bowl, beat an SEC team (Tennessee) in an Outback Bowl, won an Alamo Bowl, and went to a Rose Bowl. . . it's also been strong in the classroom earning an Academic Progress Rate score of 976, putting the program in the 80th-90th percentile.

Sure there have been widely publicized off-the-field character issues to put a minor taint on what's been going on in the win-loss column, and while Paterno hasn't handled all of the controversies as cleanly as some would like, at least he responds with punishments and isn't afraid to duck the controversies. What has happened with some of the Penn State players, from DUIs to a marijuana bust, happens at every school and with every team, but you don't hear about it. Actually, you do, but it's cloaked in the ever nebulous Violation Of Team Rules catch-all.

The talent level remains ridiculously high with new stars about to replace the old ones. . . The backfield is loaded, led by Big Ten Player of the Year candidate Daryll Clark at quarterback and potential top five overall pick Evan Royster at running back. The linebacking corps goes from being a major question mark before last year to one of the best in the nation thanks to the return of Sean Lee from a knee injury and with Navorro Bowman an All-American who'll do even more. . . . What to watch for on offense: The new receivers. . . . What to watch for on defense: The secondary. This could be the Achilles heel. . . . The schedule is so light and breezy that the team should be able to throw on the helmet and win ten games without breathing hard. . . . The season will be a success if ... Penn State wins 11 games for the third time in five years and goes to the Rose Bowl for the second year in a row. There are just enough holes and just enough concerns to forget about a national title shot.

As my loyal readers know, I rarely agree with a lot of these on-line assessments, but Pete has pretty much nailed this spot on. We all know the development of the o-line is going to be key--it's always key, but especially this year. We know the secondary is being rebuilt from the ground up. We know we're replacing some great players.

But the schedule is that easy. Anything less than 10 wins will be disappointing, and if Paterno wants another undefeated season, he better put his team in position this year, because it won't get any easier than this. Iowa and Ohio State are both at home--both have their own questions and rebuilding/reloading to accomplish. THEM (*) is away, but will be showcasing a freshman QB. Illinois is away and that will be a challenge. Northwestern, a team that took Missouri into OT, will be away and sandwiched between Ohio State and THEM--a trap game if you will. But still . . . the potential is there for a great season.

Of course, it's always easy to be optimistic beofre they actually play any games!

(*) THEM. For those not familiar with the term, this is my designation for that school in Ann Arbor. Woody Hayes had already taken the "team up North." THEM stands for THE M, as in that big block M formation they make whilst playing that annoying fight song and shouting Hail as if the whole stadium is in sudden need of a taxi. They are too sexy for their ugly helmets. They are just all that . . . the college football world revolves around THEM.