2007 Penn State Nittany Lions College Football Predictions
Penn State could do some damage in the Big Ten Conference this season. They come in ranked 35th in the Nation and we fully expect the Nittany Lions to finish the season in the Top 25. Penn State returns 14 starters, 7 coming on offense and 6 on defense with their kicker Kevin Kelly returning as well. Antony Morelli has a big-time arm at quarterback and a year of experience under his belt. With seven returning starters on offense, the Nittany Lions will try to rebound from a poor offensive showing. They scored just three touchdowns in their first four losses last year. A win at the Outback Bowl over Tennessee should give Penn State much needed confidence heading into this season.
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Morelli will be throwing to arguably the best group of receivers in school history. Derick Williams and Deon Butler lead the way at the wideout positions. Butler made a team-high 48 catches last year, but combined with Williams and Jordan Norwood for just 5 touchdown grabs. This number needs to be above 15 TD grabs for Penn State to be successful in Red Zone conversions. Tight end Andrew Quarless, who had 21 receptions as a freshman, is a future star for this team starting in 2007.
Austin Scott will get his last chance at starting at tailback. He’ll compete with freshman Evan Royster and fellow senior Rodney Kinlaw for the starting spot. Center A.Q. Shipley, left guard Rich Ohrnberger and right guard John Shaw return as starters to do the run blocking. They have to replace tackle Levi Brown, the No. 5 overall pick in the draft, with Gerald Cadogan. The tackle positions need to be solidified to give Morelli time in displaying his brilliant arm. If he can get protection, Penn State will have one of their best offensive teams in the last 10 years.
The defensive unit has to fill a big void of Paul Posluszny, a two-time winner of the Bednarik Award as the nation’s most outstanding defensive player. Even with his departure, the linebacking corps should be strong again. Dan Connor will move from the weakside to the middle to replace Posluszny. Josh Gaines returns at defensive end and will likely be joined by sophomores Maruice Evans and Jared Odrick and redshirt freshman Abe Koroma. Sean Lee, who delivered 13 tackles against Wisconsin and 11 against Ohio State, returns at the strong side linebacker position. He will have to make more big time plays against top notch Big Ten foes for Penn State to shut opposing offenses down.
The secondary, which ranked among the nation’s finest last year, has three returning starters. Veterans Justin King and A.J. Wallace are fast with King bulking up another 10 pounds in the offseason to be more physical. To get Wallace in the lineup, Tony Davis moved from corner to safety. Anthony Scirrotto, who led the Big Ten in interceptions with six, is back at the other safety position. The defense needs to step up big and has the experience to do so this season.
Penn State can possibly contend for the Big Ten championship if it gets improved play from Anthony Morelli and the offensive line. Scott should be a dependable back with much experience under his belt behind Tony Hunt the last few seasons. With a favorable home schedule, the Nittany Lions will finish in the top tier of their conference and be in the running for a January bowl game again in 2007.
Odds to Win BCS:
Sportsbook:
30-1
BetUS:
16-1
Bodog:
28-1
Odds to Win Big 10:
BetUS:
+175
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