College Football
Previews - NCAA Football Handicapping - Preview 2006 Betting
Penn St.
Nittany Lions 2006 Preview
Online
Predictions By:
Matt Fargo Penn St. Nittany Lions Football
Preview Matt Fargo remains the NUMBER
ONE handicapper in 2005 at the Professional Handicappers
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Spring practices are in the books and fall camps will be
here before you know it so that means getting
an early jump on the 2006 NCAA football season.
Knowing the teams now will save you time in August
and Matt Fargo is here to help you get a grasp
of what to expect this upcoming year. We go from
worst to first in this 2006 College Football Preview.
Fargo’s Take
- A last second touchdown was the difference
for the Nittany Lions against Michigan and an
undefeated 2005 season. Barring that, Penn St.
would have been 12-0 and had a shot at the National
Championship but that would have meant three undefeated
teams and we all know the problems that could
have caused so maybe it was for the best. The
Nittany Lions will be hard-pressed to match last
season’s performance but they do have enough
to make a run at the Big Ten title. Replacing
Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year Michael Robinson
at quarterback will be difficult but Anthony Morelli
has the tools to be a special player. The defense
has to replace most of the front four and the
entire secondary but Penn St. possesses the best
linebacking corps not only in the conference,
but in the entire country. A letdown from last
season should not happen as the Nittany Lions
look to be back for good.
Returning Starters
on Offense – 5 Morelli does not have
very much experience but his stock is high and
his spring performance gives the team a lot of
optimism heading into the season. Unlike Robinson,
he is a pure passer so the rushing element from
that position is gone but the passing game should
improve immensely. The biggest concern on the
offense is having to replace four starters on
the line but there is some decent experience coming
in. Tailback Tony Hunt is back after rushing for
1,047 yards last season and his output will be
important early on. The top four receivers are
back including the top three wideouts led by sophomore
Derrick Williams who could be in for a breakout
campaign. The Nittany Lions finished 13th in the
country in scoring offense with 34.4 ppg and matching
that average will be a challenge but if Morelli
learns quickly, it is possible.
Returning Starters
on Defense – 4 Penn St. had one of
the best defenses in the country last season,
finishing 12th in total defense and 10th in scoring
defense. Plenty of key players need to be replaced
but returning are linebackers Paul Posluszny,
the 2005 Butkus Winner, Dan Connor and Tim Shaw,
forming the best middle in the nation. They will
have to carry the unit until the rest of the defense
comes together. The defensive line has just one
starter coming back but seniors Jim Shaw and Ed
Johnson will make impacts right away. Even though
the secondary has to replace everyone, the cornerbacks
have the potential to be great led by super sophomore
Justin King, the top defensive back recruit last
season. The safety positions will be manned by
two seniors. Creating a pass rush will be vital
for the entire unit and if they come even close
to last year’s 41 sacks, great things can
happen again.
Schedule
- The schedule does not bode well for a quick
start as trips to Notre Dame and Ohio St., the
top two teams in the country by many, take place
in two of the first four weeks. The other two
games in that stretch are easy home contests against
Akron and Youngstown St. while the fourth and
final non-conference game is near the end of the
season against Temple. The Nittany Lions host
Northwestern and travel to Minnesota before returning
home and getting a chance at some payback against
Michigan. The remaining Big Ten schedule is not
over difficult with the two toughest games being
at Purdue and at Wisconsin. Indiana and Iowa are
missing from the schedule for a second straight
season. Another challenge is the fact that Penn
St. must play all 12 games without a single bye
week in the mix.
You can bet on…
Penn St. fans are hoping that another 2003 doesn’t
take place. After a very successful 2002 campaign,
the Nittany Lions fell off hard, winning just
three games the next season and prompting questions
about whether it was time for head coach Joe Paterno
to hang it up. He certainly quelled that talk
last year but another dropoff could mean the end
is near. The Nittany Lions went 3-0 against the
number as underdogs last season and are 16-10
ATS in that role since 2001. The two opportunities
to capitalize on that will come early against
Notre Dame and Ohio St. The latter could pose
a problem for Penn St. however as the road team
is 0-8 against the number in the last eight meetings
between the two.
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