As the dust begins to settle around the Penn State football program, it’s time to face the harsh reality that the Nittany Lions simply will not be competitive this year. Many experts initially predicted a slow decline, but the Penn State football team has lost some key players, especially on offense.
Don’t look now, but the Big Ten conference has improved. Wisconsin returns Heisman finalist Montee Ball to pair with transfer quarterback Danny O’Brien in hopes of returning to Pasadena. Brady Hoke’s high flying Michigan Wolverines are once again led by the ever elusive and electrifying Denard Robinson. Meanwhile, Ohio State, despite facing a post-season ban, went out and acquired a national championship winning SEC coach in Urban Meyer. Fans would be foolish to sleep on Pelini’s Nebraska Cornhuskers or the Michigan State Spartans. The Spartans return a formidable defense that would even make waves in the SEC.
Penn State’s biggest problem will be its offense, which looks to be even more anemic than last year’s version. It’s no secret Penn State was carried by their defense last year, which ranked 20th in the nation in overall defense and 5th in points allowed. The offense by comparison ranked 110th in points scored and had the 96th ranked passing offense. Last season Penn State beat Temple, Northwestern and Indiana by a combined 20 points. Despite being the road team in all three games, those outcomes are down right pitiful and a testament to the barren cupboard of offensive weapons. The lone bright spot was all-Big Ten running back Silas Redd, who has since transferred to USC.
Even before Penn State players began transferring, things look so bleak. That’s before the Nittany Lions lost projected starters at the tight end, kicker, offensive line, and wide receiver positions, and before dual threat backup quarterback Rob Bolden bolted for LSU just last week. For those of you who don’t remember, Bolden was the first quarterback in 100 years to start at Penn State as a freshman. Combine that with the loss of Redd, and you can’t buy a sliver of hope in Beaver Stadium right now.
The common thread in the player’s departures is the chance to play for a title, either conference or BCS. USC, LSU, Florida State, Texas, and Oklahoma are among the schools that have welcomed these former Penn State football players into their ranks. The allure of bowls and championships is hard to compete with, and something Coach Bill O’Brien will have to get used to.
Let’s take a look at Penn State’s upcoming schedule
Sept. 1st – Ohio – The raucous Beaver Stadium crowd will will the Nittany Lions to a win in the first victory of the post-Paterno era. WIN
Sept. 8th – @ Virginia – Coming off an 8-4 season, the Cavaliers are looking to make waves. This marks Penn State’s first test of the year and the beginning of a long season. LOSS
Sept. 15th – Navy – In a chippy, hard fought win, Penn State outmans the Midshipmen. WIN
Sept. 22nd – Temple – Penn State is down but not out. The Nittany Lions narrowly avoid losing to a Rent-A-Win opponent. WIN
Sept. 29th – @Illinois – The Ron Zook era is finally over. Despite losing the national sacks leader Whitney Mercilus to the NFL, the Fighting Illini return a stout defense and enact some revenge for last year’s narrow loss. LOSS
Oct. 6th – Northwestern – Last season the Wildcats finally made a bowl game. Unfortunately, Northwestern is still a very average team at best. Penn State salvages a Homecoming victory. WIN
Oct. 20 – @Iowa – Led by senior quarterback James Vanderberg, the Hawkeyes look poised to improve after a mediocre 7-6 2011 campaign. The Nittany Lions lose a close one. LOSS
Oct. 27th – Ohio State – Not even the famous Beaver Stadium “White Out” will be an advantage to Penn State. The Buckeyes win big in Urban Meyers’ inaugural campaign. LOSS
Nov. 3rd – @Purdue – Behind their best defense in recent years, led by DT Kawann Short, the Boilmakers smother the erratic Penn State offense. LOSS
Nov. 10th – @Nebraska – The Nittany Lions will be powerless against the tandem of first-team all-Big Ten running back Rex Burkhead and quarterback Taylor Martinez. The Cornhuskers roll to an easy win.LOSS
Nov. 17th – Indiana – Despite only having five seniors on scholarship, the Hoosiers are a team on the rise, returning 15 starters. In my most questionable pick, the Hoosiers prevail. LOSS
Nov. 24th – Wisconsin – The Badgers show no mercy as they spoil Penn State’s Senior Day and finally end the Nittany Lions’ nightmare season.LOSS
Dec. 1st – Big Ten Championship Game – Just kidding.
Penn State 2012 record – 4-8
Penn State faces a long road back to prominence. For the time being, the Nittany Lions can expect to become the Big Ten punching bag, which is good news for perennial cellar-dwellers Indiana and Northwestern. Penn State fans should remember all the good times and the non-vacated big wins because it will be a long time before they can take pride in their football team again.
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