This defense should be really good. I took a look and it is quite realistic that 9 of the starters will be moving on after this year. That is an experienced talented defense. Quite the opposite, 10 of the 11 starters on offense are likely to be back in 2020, in fact 6 of them aren't even draft eligible. The WRs stepping up will be key, but this defense could be Penn State historically good.https://www.pennlive.com/pennstatef...utm_campaign=psufootball_sf&utm_medium=social
Penn State has plenty of work to do before it takes on a 2019 schedule that is headlined by trips to Ohio State, Michigan State, and Iowa plus a home date with Michigan, among other opponents.
The Sean Clifford era is expected to begin at quarterback with the opener against Idaho on Aug. 31, and several other new starters and fresh contributors will be needed.
What is the head coach's outlook as he enters season six?
"We're young, but we're talented. There's no doubt about it," Franklin said during an interview with Philadelphia's WIP this week. "I think we got a chance to be really good on defense. We're fast. We're as fast as a football team as I've been around, but we play in a tough conference, and we have a challenging schedule.
“We’re going to get the guys to mature and grow up, play fast, play aggressive, and I think we have a chance.”
These all strike me as coin-toss games. Could use a few good bounces this year. Saw a prediction that Iowa will have the top defense in CFB. That game will go the full 12 rounds. UM probably comes in undefeated with a world of hype.Penn State has plenty of work to do before it takes on a 2019 schedule that is headlined by trips to Ohio State, Michigan State, and Iowa plus a home date with Michigan, among other opponents.
These all strike me as coin-toss games. Could use a few good bounces this year. Saw a prediction that Iowa will have the top defense in CFB. That game will go the full 12 rounds. UM probably comes in undefeated with a world of hype.
I think the schedule sets up pretty well.
With a young team, you have Idaho, Buffalo, and Pitt all at home to start the season. I think you are at 80-90% or above to win each of those games. Then you have a bye week before you go play @ Maryland in a stadium filled with PSU fans.
Purdue at home the following week. That is a very manageable start to the season. Would be surprising if they aren't 5-0, imo.
The toughest portion of the schedule is next, @ Iowa, Michigan at home, @ MSU. Then another bye week. Followed by @ Minny, Indiana at home, and at OSU.
For a young, talented team, I think the 5 games they have at the start of the season gives them a chance to grow and gel, gives Clifford a chance to get comfortable, gives Walker time to get experience at LT.
Agree... Purdue is the 1 game that makes me a little nervous. But it's at home and Clifford should be feeling more comfortable. Defense with its speed will be tested against Purdue but no doubt PSU should win.
Going strictly off memory and without looking up the history, seems to me that PSU has a struggle (but normally wins) when playing AT Purdue or Indiana. At home, they normally beat them pretty easily.
What exactly is the women's clinic?
Awesome...ranked 14th would put us at two losses...perhaps 3. The means we win two ot these four: Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State. And, with no upsets against Purdue, Minny, Pitt, and the rest.Athlon Preseason Magazine has PSU ranked #14
https://athlonsports.com/college-football/top-25-college-football-rankings-2019
14. Penn State
The Nittany Lions have won at least nine games in each of the last three seasons, and there's a good chance that streak extends to four in 2019. But in order to reach nine (or more) wins, Penn State has to find a replacement for quarterback Trace McSorley. Sophomore Sean Clifford played sparingly as McSorley's backup last season and is set for the starting role after Tommy Stevens transferred to Mississippi State. Clifford has a big-time arm, and the Nittany Lions have intriguing talent on the edge to utilize downfield. The best of the bunch is sophomore KJ Hamler (42 catches for 754 yards and five scores last season), with Jahan Dotson, Justin Shorter and transfers George Campbell (Florida State) and Weston Carr (Azusa Pacific) also poised to contribute. Tight end Pat Freiermuth caught 26 passes as a freshman last season and should be more involved in 2019. Miles Sanders left for the NFL after a terrific junior season, but the cupboard isn't bare at running back. Ricky Slade is likely to see the bulk of the carries, with Journey Brown, C.J. Holmes and freshmen Noah Cain and Devyn Ford rounding out a deep rotation. Three starters are back up front, but the left tackle spot is worth monitoring, as redshirt freshman Rasheed Walker is penciled in as the favorite to start. If Clifford and Penn State's offense needs a few games to find their footing, the defense provides an excellent insurance policy. The Nittany Lions held teams to 20.5 points a game and 4.7 yards per play in 2018. The strength of this unit is the front seven. End Yetur Gross-Matos is poised for All-America honors after recording 20 tackles for a loss and eight sacks last fall. Sophomore Micah Parsons is one of college football's rising stars at linebacker, joining an experienced starting trio that features Cam Brown and Jan Johnson. John Reid and Tariq Castro-Fields form a solid duo at cornerback. Michigan visits Happy Valley in 2019, but Penn State catches Ohio State, Michigan State and Iowa on the road.