2011 Penn State Football Predictions
Written by Patrick Webb
Penn State enters 2011 looking to improve upon a 7-6 injury-marred season. Joe Paterno’s squad returns a deep and experienced defense that has as much depth as any team in the Big Ten. They are deep at every unit on the defensive side of the ball, boast at least nine players who started last season and no less than 15 players who saw a lot of action throughout the year.
Questions at QB could hinder Penn State if neither Matt McGloin nor Rob Bolden seize the job before the season begins. The Nittany Lions also lose their best offensive lineman in Stefen Wisniewski, along with career rushing leader Evan Royster and reliable WR/TE Brett Brackett. Penn State must also replace Ollie Ogbu defensively, along with DE Pete Massaro, who was lost for the season in the spring. Kicker Colin Wagner is also gone after going 20-25 on field goals last season, including 8-10 from 40-49 yards. If the Nittany Lions can just be adequate on offense this should be a contending team in the initial season of divisional play in the Big Ten.
The offense must get more consistent play from the QB position to take advantage of a ton of skill talent at the TB and WR positions. Matt McGloin took over for struggling true freshman Rob Bolden last season, but struggled late. Bolden’s status is still up in the air after he sought a transfer that was denied by Penn State. McGloin started hot for the Lions after taking over for Bolden, earning a 14/9 TD/INT ratio, but threw 5 picks against Florida in the bowl game.
Penn State is at least four-deep at the tailback position and could be even more explosive this season with Silas Redd stepping in for the departed Evan Royster. Redd will be backed up by Stephfon Green, Curtis Dukes and Brandon Beachum.
The Nittany Lions may boast the deepest receiving corps in the league, headlined by 6’5 speedster Derek Moye. Justin Brown and Devon Smith return from solid seasons last year and will join the improving Curtis Drake and several young receivers that have taken quality reps this spring. PSU will be without expected starter Gary Gilliam at tight end, but return Kevin Haplea, who started several games last season as a red-shirt freshman, and are waiting on the status of the 6th year appeal for Andrew Szczerba to bolster the unit.
Penn State’s offensive line could be troublesome as Quinn Barham and Johnnie Troutman return from solid seasons last year, but RT Chimi Okoli only won a spot last year due to injuries, and they must replace Wisniewski and C Doug Klopacz. De’Ontae Pannell, John Urshel and several others are in line to replace Wisniewski, while Matt Stankiewitch is looking to rebound from a case of mono last season.
Penn State’s defense should be a major strength as they return a ton of experience, size and talent to the front seven. DEs Jack Crawford and Eric Latimore have flashed brilliantly at times, but tend to be injury prone. They will be backed up by Sean Stanley and Kevion Latham. DTs Devon Still and Jordan Hill will start to round out the defensive front.
Linebackers Gerald Hodges, Michael Mauti, Nate Stupar and Khairi Fortt are all speedy and boast meaningful experience. Mauti looks to man the MLB spot, coming off a season in which he seized the position and played a lot of reps. Stupar is the second-leading returning tackler and can play both outside linebacker spots. Hodges and Fortt are incredibly athletic and have already shown a ton of potential.
PSU’s secondary is also deep and talented. They get safety Nick Sukay back, who tied for the team lead in interceptions with three in only six games last year. Astorino returns at SS, but could be pushed by Malcolm Willis, who improved every game after taking over the FS for Sukay. Corners D’Anton Lynn, Stephon Morris, and Mike Wallace also return to the defensive backfield. Lynn has NFL talent and size and is the leading returning tackler on the team. Chaz Powell has one last season to try to make an impact and is listed on the two-deep as a back up CB despite starting six games last season.
Punter Anthony Fera had a solid freshman season averaging 41.4 (36.8 net) yards per punt last season. Freshman Sam Ficken is looking to replace Wagner at PK and has big shoes to fill. PSU has a ton of talent to return kicks and punts including Drake, Powell, Smith and a few others.
Schedule Analysis: Penn State opens the season against FCS opponent Indiana State, following that with a tough game hosting Alabama. That will be a strong litmus test for Penn State, who will likely be a home underdog in that game. They follow the ‘Bama game with a visit to Temple, who played them very tough last season, but have undergone a coaching change. A tune up game versus Eastern Michigan closes out the non- conference schedule. PSU grabs a soft Big Ten opener as they take on Indiana on the road, followed by back-to-back games versus Iowa and Purdue. The next five games will define the season as they travel to Northwestern, play Illinois and Nebraska at home, then close the season with back-to-back road games at Ohio State and Wisconsin.
Final Record Prediction: 9-3 Overall (6-2 Big Ten – 2nd in Leaders Division)
- Morning Call – USA Today has Penn State at 7-6 & 4th in the Big Ten.
- Locksmith Sports - 3rd in Leaders
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Hello, you should read Phil Steele’s prediction. He is the most accurate. He predicted that everyone would pick PSU 4th and as he has consistently done, he has picked them much higher every year and been right!