Was just sitting at work and thinking if our team can win this game this year. Obviously last years game was really close and probably one that we should have won had it not been for Nova's numerous picks. Looking at our team this year we have some strengths and some weaknesses in others.
On Offense:
The big weakness is obviously the QB. We will have a QB who doesn't have much experience and will likely just be a game manager. The WR's coming back should be just as good if not better, the OL is a big question mark given the fact that we lost a couple of guys and we have a few new starters and not a lot of depth. The running back situation is very good and it seems that we have a lot of depth at the position.
On Defense:
The defensive line should be better in my opinion. The big reason I say that is because Hamilton is coming into his senior year. His added weight and experience should give us a big push up the middle. The major reason we are good at the position is Turay. If he can get it together this year we will have a player that should give teams fits and last year PSU struggled in pass protection. With 2 legit stars on the defensive line, PSU will have a harder time throwing the ball which should play in our favor.
The LB's this year should be a bit better as well given the fact that we replace Snyder who was playing hurt for most of last year and have 2 returning starters in Longa and Gause. Johnson or Lewis should hopefully fill in the MLB spot and give us a slight upgrade over last year. The big question mark in the LB's corp is the depth. An injury or 2 at the position and we have a major problem. So if we are healthy we should be just as good as last year if not better. But an injury or 2 and we have a big disadvantage.
The secondary however is a major area of concern for me. Depth is obviously an issue, Austin and BOggs might be the 2 starters and that doesn't inspire much confidence in me. Barnwells injury really hurts us as far as depth...and if teams start spreading us out i think we will have some serious problems. The safety play is also a big concern. Although Waters was horrible against the pass last year and took really bad angles at times, he did play the run very well. This year Hester or Jacobs should play and its tough to tell how these first time starters will do against a QB of Hackenburgs caliber.
PSU
They have a major advantage at QB. Hackenburg is a legit Pro Prospect...and although he took a lot of sacks against us last year, I think it was due mostly to a young OL who will likely be better this year. With another year in the system he should be even better.
I don't know much about the OL. I know one of their guys was drafted but don't know who is going to fill in the void. I think its fair to say that this unit will be better this year.
Their TE's have been excellent. We know Gesecki will play a bigger role in the offense. The Running game for them was ineffective last year, but behind an offensive line that might be a little better they probably get a little better there as well. But i think the OL and Rb's we have the advantage. They did have some weapons at WR with Hamilton last year. They also have Blacknail who should have a year under his belt as well as some other highly recruited kids. So Hackenburg should have plenty of weapons to choose from.
The defense for them was very solid last year as well. The big DT and LB's were all over the field and generated a lot of turnovers. I don't know the guys they lost but its fair to say that they will be very good again.
Overall I think we have a good chance to win this game---but it is in Happy Valley and we can very well lose this game given the QB situation we currently have.
On Offense:
The big weakness is obviously the QB. We will have a QB who doesn't have much experience and will likely just be a game manager. The WR's coming back should be just as good if not better, the OL is a big question mark given the fact that we lost a couple of guys and we have a few new starters and not a lot of depth. The running back situation is very good and it seems that we have a lot of depth at the position.
On Defense:
The defensive line should be better in my opinion. The big reason I say that is because Hamilton is coming into his senior year. His added weight and experience should give us a big push up the middle. The major reason we are good at the position is Turay. If he can get it together this year we will have a player that should give teams fits and last year PSU struggled in pass protection. With 2 legit stars on the defensive line, PSU will have a harder time throwing the ball which should play in our favor.
The LB's this year should be a bit better as well given the fact that we replace Snyder who was playing hurt for most of last year and have 2 returning starters in Longa and Gause. Johnson or Lewis should hopefully fill in the MLB spot and give us a slight upgrade over last year. The big question mark in the LB's corp is the depth. An injury or 2 at the position and we have a major problem. So if we are healthy we should be just as good as last year if not better. But an injury or 2 and we have a big disadvantage.
The secondary however is a major area of concern for me. Depth is obviously an issue, Austin and BOggs might be the 2 starters and that doesn't inspire much confidence in me. Barnwells injury really hurts us as far as depth...and if teams start spreading us out i think we will have some serious problems. The safety play is also a big concern. Although Waters was horrible against the pass last year and took really bad angles at times, he did play the run very well. This year Hester or Jacobs should play and its tough to tell how these first time starters will do against a QB of Hackenburgs caliber.
PSU
They have a major advantage at QB. Hackenburg is a legit Pro Prospect...and although he took a lot of sacks against us last year, I think it was due mostly to a young OL who will likely be better this year. With another year in the system he should be even better.
I don't know much about the OL. I know one of their guys was drafted but don't know who is going to fill in the void. I think its fair to say that this unit will be better this year.
Their TE's have been excellent. We know Gesecki will play a bigger role in the offense. The Running game for them was ineffective last year, but behind an offensive line that might be a little better they probably get a little better there as well. But i think the OL and Rb's we have the advantage. They did have some weapons at WR with Hamilton last year. They also have Blacknail who should have a year under his belt as well as some other highly recruited kids. So Hackenburg should have plenty of weapons to choose from.
The defense for them was very solid last year as well. The big DT and LB's were all over the field and generated a lot of turnovers. I don't know the guys they lost but its fair to say that they will be very good again.
Overall I think we have a good chance to win this game---but it is in Happy Valley and we can very well lose this game given the QB situation we currently have.
