Driving into work this morning, I was thinking about the upcoming football season and the kind of season I think we might see from our Nittany Lions, or certainly hope to see.
This is the first post-Hack, post-sanction season that Penn State will have, where some big time players leaving the program will need to be replaced. Didn't really have that situation last year, except for one or two guys. I know some of you are concerned about this and I won't push back very hard against those concerns. They are legit, BUT I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.
2018 is the year where Penn State can put to rest all concerns about whether the program is back to playing on an elite level, year in and year out, exactly because we lose a number of key players. I think this squad is superbly talented. I think it is also superbly coached. I think this is the year where we will do some things that the likes of OSU and Bama and Oklahoma do, that is, replace guys we've lost with new very talented players. I believe we will see guys like Sanders, Brown, maybe Slade, breakout as stars at RB. Why? Because I know they have talent and ability and are just waiting their chance. This is true at many positions on both offense and defense.
We also will have a great senior leader at QB in Trace McSorley and that should not be underestimated. I saw yesterday that he's second in the Heisman running per Vegas oddsmakers in 2018. Trace is a big time player folks. Big time. Let no one ever underestimate him again.
I think we'll see some true freshmen and redshirt freshmen become stars. Hippenhammer, Hamler, Brown, Slade, just to name a few offensive guys. We bring back what should be a very good, experienced o-line that I believe we saw beginning to blossom in the Fiesta Bowl. We will have more depth at nearly every position than we've had in many years. We will be playing almost every tough game at home where we haven't lost in two years. 14 straight home wins! Don't know if you guys have noticed, but pay attention. It's tough to win on the road and most of the good teams have to beat us on our turf if they are to do so. Fantastic stuff! Michigan on the road is only real road test.
I think this is the year where Franklin shows that PSU, under his watch, will not have any major hiccup years. He will show that he can replace assistants who leave for other jobs and not miss a beat. I think Rahne will show himself to be an excellent offensive coordinator. Fiesta Bowl was a fine prelude for him.
I think this is the year where Penn State football will show that not only can it reload, but that it can do so and still play with anyone.
If Penn State takes down the Buckeyes in Beaver Stadium on Sept. 29, this team and program will take off like a rocket and have a year for the ages, with many more to follow, proving once and for all that the Penn State football program is once again elite (not that I ever doubted its bona fides).
What an opportunity lies before this program!!!
This is the first post-Hack, post-sanction season that Penn State will have, where some big time players leaving the program will need to be replaced. Didn't really have that situation last year, except for one or two guys. I know some of you are concerned about this and I won't push back very hard against those concerns. They are legit, BUT I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.
2018 is the year where Penn State can put to rest all concerns about whether the program is back to playing on an elite level, year in and year out, exactly because we lose a number of key players. I think this squad is superbly talented. I think it is also superbly coached. I think this is the year where we will do some things that the likes of OSU and Bama and Oklahoma do, that is, replace guys we've lost with new very talented players. I believe we will see guys like Sanders, Brown, maybe Slade, breakout as stars at RB. Why? Because I know they have talent and ability and are just waiting their chance. This is true at many positions on both offense and defense.
We also will have a great senior leader at QB in Trace McSorley and that should not be underestimated. I saw yesterday that he's second in the Heisman running per Vegas oddsmakers in 2018. Trace is a big time player folks. Big time. Let no one ever underestimate him again.
I think we'll see some true freshmen and redshirt freshmen become stars. Hippenhammer, Hamler, Brown, Slade, just to name a few offensive guys. We bring back what should be a very good, experienced o-line that I believe we saw beginning to blossom in the Fiesta Bowl. We will have more depth at nearly every position than we've had in many years. We will be playing almost every tough game at home where we haven't lost in two years. 14 straight home wins! Don't know if you guys have noticed, but pay attention. It's tough to win on the road and most of the good teams have to beat us on our turf if they are to do so. Fantastic stuff! Michigan on the road is only real road test.
I think this is the year where Franklin shows that PSU, under his watch, will not have any major hiccup years. He will show that he can replace assistants who leave for other jobs and not miss a beat. I think Rahne will show himself to be an excellent offensive coordinator. Fiesta Bowl was a fine prelude for him.
I think this is the year where Penn State football will show that not only can it reload, but that it can do so and still play with anyone.
If Penn State takes down the Buckeyes in Beaver Stadium on Sept. 29, this team and program will take off like a rocket and have a year for the ages, with many more to follow, proving once and for all that the Penn State football program is once again elite (not that I ever doubted its bona fides).
What an opportunity lies before this program!!!
