Big Ten’s Penn State is overshadowed again
Defending Big Ten champion Penn State returns a Heisman Trophy candidate at running back and a recordsetting quarterback, and the Nittany Lions generally are regarded as one of the 10 best teams in the country.
They’re not even picked to win their division this season.
The Big Ten East favorite, as usual, is Ohio State, which is loaded with as much talent as ever and motivated to atone for an embarrassing finish to 2016.
So as great an accomplishment as it was for Penn State to go from being picked fourth in the division to winning its first league title since 2008, another grind is about to start. Coach James Franklin wants his players to put last season out of their minds.
“We’ve talked about it enough. The fans have talked about it. The media’s talked about it,” Franklin said. “They’ve been given rings. So that’s behind us. We have moved on.”
Saquon Barkley thrust himself into 2017 Heisman consideration after a dominant performance in the lastsecond Rose Bowl loss to Southern California. Trace McSorley led the Big Ten in passer rating and threw for four touchdowns in both the Big Ten championship game against Wisconsin and the bowl. The question is whether a defense that allowed 34 points a game against ranked opponents can hold up its end.
A three-week stretch spanning October and November — Michigan at home and road games at Ohio State and Michigan State — likely will be the key to the Lions’ season.
West Division Wisconsin brings back an experienced QB in Alex Hornibrook and a seasoned defense from its 11-win team. The Badgers don’t play Ohio State, and their toughest road game is at Nebraska.
Northwestern has a three-year starting QB in Clayton Thorson and a workhorse in RB Justin Jackson. Back-toback games against Wisconsin (away) and Penn State (home) come early.
Iowa will rely heavily on 1,000-yard rusher Akrum Wadley and a veteran offensive line as it breaks in a new QB. Penn State visits in September, but the hardest part of the schedule comes in November.