I have always thought that Phil Steele was pretty accurate in predicting how a college football team will perform. He does preface this year's issue that last year was by far his worst in terms of overall predictions. He has hired additional staff this year in helping him produce a more accurate predictions for this year's magazine.
So, here are some of his predictions:
Season Ranking-We finish at #12. The Nittany Lions have his #1QB unit rating and #24 overall RB rating despite losing Saquon Barkley. He feels that his is coach Franklin's best offensive line (#15 overall rating). PSU has a top 20 defense and a top 10 offense. We have only one tough road game (Michigan) and have Ohio State, Mich. St and Wisconsin at home. Has us finishing third in the east begin OSU and Michigan. He does state if we win all of our home games; we would win the Big Ten East and play Wisconsin for the Big Ten title. Has us playing Auburn in the Citrus Bowl.
All Big Ten Preseason Team
Trace McSorley-1st team QB
Amari Oruwariye-1st team QB
Juwan Johnson-2nd team WR
Ryan Bates-2nd team OL
Shareef Miller-2nd team DL
Blake Gilikin-2nd team punter
DeAndre Thompkins-2nd team PR
Miles Sanders-3rd team RB
Koa Farmer-4th team LB
He also lists top draft eligible players by position. Miles Sanders did not make the top 78 running backs and Steven Gonzalez did not make the top 97 guards. Here are the rankings:
Trace McSorley-#10 QB
Juwan Johnson-#12 WR
Connor McGovern-#9 Center
Ryan Bates-#11 Tackle
Will Fries-#44 Tackle
Shareef Miller-#28 DE
Shaka Toney-#71 DE
Kevin Givens-#39 DT
Koa Farmer-#35 LB
Blake Gilikin-#11 Punter
Amari Oruwariye-#5 CB
DeAndre Tompkins-#2 PR
Overall ranking pretty consistent with other publications. We have the overall #1 QB unit, #15 overall offensive line and the #8 overall defensive line.
So, here are some of his predictions:
Season Ranking-We finish at #12. The Nittany Lions have his #1QB unit rating and #24 overall RB rating despite losing Saquon Barkley. He feels that his is coach Franklin's best offensive line (#15 overall rating). PSU has a top 20 defense and a top 10 offense. We have only one tough road game (Michigan) and have Ohio State, Mich. St and Wisconsin at home. Has us finishing third in the east begin OSU and Michigan. He does state if we win all of our home games; we would win the Big Ten East and play Wisconsin for the Big Ten title. Has us playing Auburn in the Citrus Bowl.
All Big Ten Preseason Team
Trace McSorley-1st team QB
Amari Oruwariye-1st team QB
Juwan Johnson-2nd team WR
Ryan Bates-2nd team OL
Shareef Miller-2nd team DL
Blake Gilikin-2nd team punter
DeAndre Thompkins-2nd team PR
Miles Sanders-3rd team RB
Koa Farmer-4th team LB
He also lists top draft eligible players by position. Miles Sanders did not make the top 78 running backs and Steven Gonzalez did not make the top 97 guards. Here are the rankings:
Trace McSorley-#10 QB
Juwan Johnson-#12 WR
Connor McGovern-#9 Center
Ryan Bates-#11 Tackle
Will Fries-#44 Tackle
Shareef Miller-#28 DE
Shaka Toney-#71 DE
Kevin Givens-#39 DT
Koa Farmer-#35 LB
Blake Gilikin-#11 Punter
Amari Oruwariye-#5 CB
DeAndre Tompkins-#2 PR
Overall ranking pretty consistent with other publications. We have the overall #1 QB unit, #15 overall offensive line and the #8 overall defensive line.
