![]() ![]() They played in probably 2016’s most exciting bowl, a 52-49 loss to USC that did nothing to dampen sudden top-10 stature. They survived a slow start against Wisconsin in the Big Ten title game, then accelerated to a 38-31 win. They beat Ohio State with special teams - something that almost never happens to Urban Meyer - and then played one of the season’s most perfect games, a 41-14 shellacking of a solid Iowa. But Trace McSorley found himself in engineering a last-second field goal drive PSU won in overtime and never looked back. PSU hit October at just 2-2, and despite outplaying Minnesota on October 1, the Nittany Lions trailed the Gophers 23-20 at home with a minute left. The offense showed potential against Pitt and Temple but got erased by Michigan. The defense was shuffled around early in the year and needed a month to settle in and get healthy. ![]() The Nittany Lions were 0-6 against Michigan, Michigan State, and Ohio State in Franklin’s first two years but went 2-1 in 2016, which sparked a run to the Big Ten title.īut the Nittany Lions surged despite a slow start. Penn State surged in 2016, from 7-6 and 35th in S&P+ to 11-3 and eighth. “James Franklin and his teams seem to do best when they feel they're being underestimated, and they might indeed be underestimated in 2016.” That’s a line from last year’s Penn State preview, when I professed Penn State’s head coach was doing a better job than most thought but that a fast start would be key. Summary: Penn State is now a team to beat, but the Nittany Lions will be fun as hell and have the talent to make a go at a Big Ten repeat. 23), the first of many revenge opportunities for opponents. 28) is enormous for national title reasons, but watch out for the trip to Iowa (Sept. Can the offensive line improve enough to rectify efficiency issues?īiggest 2017 game: The trip to Ohio State (Oct. ![]() #PENN STATE FOOTBALL STORY 2016 HOW TO#Quarterback Trace McSorley knows how to get them the ball.īiggest question mark: Living by the big play is fun, but it’s hard for most teams to sustain. Projected 2017 record and S&P+ ranking: 10-2 (eighth)īiggest strength: The skill corps includes the nation’s scariest runner (Saquon Barkley), maybe its best tight end (Mike Gesicki), and a stable of deep threats. Head coach: James Franklin (25-15, fourth year)Ģ016 record and S&P+ ranking: 11-3 (eighth) ![]()
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