BlueWhiteIllustrated.com - BWI, media members make their predictions

August 27, 2009

BWI Staff

Each year, Blue White Illustrated's magazine publication polls itself, Penn State beat writers and media members, plus a few special national guests, to find out how the Nittany Lions will fare in the upcoming season.

With Penn State's season opener against Akron a little more than a week away, it's time to go on the record.

Check out our season predictions in this special section from the preseason issue of our magazine, then make your own predictions in the Den!

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Let's get to the picks!

(Listed in alphabetical order)

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Nate Bauer, Blue White Illustrated

New players in key positions will ultimately determine this year's success for Penn State. Seasoned leaders like Daryll Clark, Evan Royster, Jared Odrick, Sean Lee and Navorro Bowman will hold up their end of the bargain but it's the inexperience on the offensive line, at wide receiver and in the secondary, that could prevent this team from fulfilling its potential.

The good news for these Nits, however, is that a comically easy non-conference schedule provides a three-game cushion for all of the elements to jell before an opponent of any real consequence appears on the schedule. That said, once Iowa visits Happy Valley, the Lions must navigate through a Big Ten conference that is very much up for grabs this year. At Illinois, Ohio State and at Michigan State present the toughest remaining challenges but the Lions have the talent to match all of them.

Even if the Lions get tripped up somewhere along the line, they should find themselves in another BCS bowl at the end of the season.

Record: 12-1

Todd Brown, Sports Director, Magnum Broadcasting

With the graduation of several key positions including wide receiver, offensive line and secondary, you wouldn't be surprised if the Nittany Lions took a step back this season. But with a soft non-conference schedule, expect Penn State to jump out of the gate early, allowing a lot of its younger players to get the valuable game experience that they need. The Nits should have little trouble until their showdown with Iowa under the lights at Beaver Stadium. Both the team and fans will be looking for revenge after their heartbreaking loss to the Hawkeyes, which cost Penn State an undefeated regular season. Penn State has a chance to run the table with the schedule being favorable during the conference season, but expect the Lions to stumble once or twice, especially on the road. There could be more on the line than just the Land Grant Trophy when the Nittany Lions travel to East Lansing for the regular season finale, including a New Year's Day Bowl bid and a possible Big Ten championship.

Record: 11-2

Phil Cmor, Altoona Mirror

Yes, having four new starters in the secondary is a concern, but I'm not sure there are enough consistent, quality passers in the conference to exploit it, especially with what the Nittany Lion defense boasts on the line and at linebacker.

I'd be more worried about developing a cohesive offensive line and play-makers at receiver. That's what I think will end up being the difference in potentially close games at Illinois and Michigan State and at home versus Ohio State.

This team has the talent to head into a BCS bowl unbeaten, but there are enough question marks for me to think they stumble once along the way. I think the Illinois game, the first road contest after what should be a huge night game at Beaver Stadium with Iowa, will be pivotal.

Record: 11-2

Gene Collier, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

With a new secondary and new receivers, they're not able to improve on 11-1, but early schedule should allow younger players to develop in time for conference play.

Record: 11-2

Colin Cowherd, ESPN Radio

I like Penn State to go to the Rose Bowl against USC - not good news if you're a Nittany Lion fan to play USC ... again.

Record: 11-2

Andy Elder, Blue White Illustrated

A three-cupcake platter of non-conference games to start the season sets up nicely for the Nittany Lions to help a new secondary, new receiving corps and three new starters on the offensive line get acclimated before Iowa rolls into town in Week 4. If Penn State can survive a trap game at Illinois it could be undefeated when Ohio State visits in Week 10 in what might amount to a Big Ten championship game. If the secondary jells, the receivers prove they are capable of making clutch catches and stretching the defense and the offensive line can give Daryll Clark time to survey the field, an undefeated regular-season record isn't out of the question. If that's the case, will the Nittany Lions be good enough to compete with a top level BCS bowl opponent? We'll see.

Record: 12-1

Sean Fitz, Blue White Illustrated

A return to roses should be the theme of the 2009 Nittany Lions. With one of the most favorable schedules in the country, the Nittany Lions should be on the fast track to Pasadena once again. The Lions don't face a legitimate challenge until the end of September, which should give the offensive line and defensive backfield a chance to jell in time for Big Ten play. Even with a revamped offensive line, expect big numbers from Evan Royster and another stellar year for the defense, with Jared Odrick having an All-America caliber season.

Record: 11-2

Amanda Gifford, ESPN Radio

Given the national popularity of PSU, I wouldn't be surprised if they found themselves in BCS bowl. A BCS bowl would be a loss, but if they end up in a New Year's Day Bowl, the Nits end the season on a high note.

Record: 11-2

Phil Grosz, Blue White Illustrated

That's right, I'm predicting Penn State finishes the 2009 season with an 11-1 regular season record, winning its third Big Ten title in five years and ends up playing in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1, 2010.

I'm fully aware of the fact Penn State must replace Deon Butler, Jordan Norwood and Derrick Williams at wide receiver, along with three offensive linemen (Gerald Cadogan, Rich Ohrnberger and A.Q. Shipley) on offense, plus its entire secondary on defense and defensive ends Maurice Evans, Josh Gaines and Aaron Maybin. But Penn State has recruited exceptionally well the past three years and now it's time for the Nittany Lions 2009 team to reload and not rebuild.

Plus, Navorro Bowman and Sean Lee give Penn State one of the top three starting linebacker units in the country, Daryll Clark is the Big Ten's top returning quarterback and Evan Royster is the Big Ten's top returning rusher.

No fewer than six Penn State players were named to the first team All-Big Ten team by Athlon's preseason Big Ten preview magazine. Maybe the Nittany Lions will get their chance on Jan. 1, 2010 to beat USC in the Rose Bowl in a rematch of what took place on Jan. 1, 2009.

Record: 12-1

David Glass, gantdaily.com

The 2009 season will be defined in large part by how quickly the youthful offensive line jells. Daryll Clark has proven he's a good QB and a great leader, but no QB looks good planted into the turf. Only slightly less important are the new starters at WR and in the secondary - yes, the 2008 secondary got roasted in the Rose Bowl, but prior to that they had been a very solid squad and I think there will be some early struggles. There seems to be a widespread assumption that Clark will be fine with the new set of wideouts, but I can't help but wonder if he made last year's WRs better, or if their talent made him look better than he was. I'd say probably a bit of both, and expect Clark's overall numbers to suffer early in the Big Ten portion of the schedule as the newbies get acclimated to this level.

If Sean Lee is fully recovered, if the secondary proves ready to play at this level, if the O-line keeps Clark upright (and if Clark stays healthy), this team could win the Big Ten. A few too many 'ifs' for me - I see the OSU, MSU and a resurgent Michigan team all finishing ahead of the Lions this season. Still, with their cupcake schedule, 9-10 wins seems easily within reach. Call it 10-3, with a late-season surge culminating with a win in the Outback Bowl. Given the amount of turnover, I'd consider a 10-3 season with a bowl win a success - and a good foundation for the next great Penn State team in 2010 or 2011.

Record: 10-3

Tricia Lafferty, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Penn State will fall to Ohio State and suffer an unexpected loss. Although this could be the Nittany Lions' best shot at a perfect season in a long time - thanks to the weak schedule and likely Top-10 preseason ranking - the Lions don't have what it takes. Sure stud quarterback Daryll Clark returns, but most of his blockers and receivers are untested. The defense will be strong as usual and the run game will be unstoppable, but is that enough?

Record: 11-2

Derek Levarse, Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

Joe Paterno is most concerned with his secondary, as he should be. Plugging in four new starters is far from an ideal situation. Fortunately for the Nittany Lions, they have arguably the best front seven in the conference as support, and the Big Ten isn't exactly brimming with All-America quarterbacks.

Right now, Penn State looks ticketed for a date with an SEC squad on Jan. 1 in Florida, assuming the Lions win one of the following three games: at Illinois, Ohio State and at Michigan State. Take two of those three, and they can upgrade to Pasadena.

Record: 11-2

Walt Moody, Centre Daily Times

Although this team has many question marks (offensive line, wide receivers, secondary), it has the potential to do some big things. Horrible non-conference schedule means the Nittany Lions likely will have to run the table to be in BCS consideration. They have that potential, but history says they'll lose a toss-up game and one road game they shouldn't. Watching linebackers Sean Lee and Navorro Bowman will be a pleasure.

Record: 11-2

Chris Morelli, Blue White Illustrated

The Nittany Lions will have little trouble with their preseason schedule, which includes the likes of Akron, Syracuse and Temple. However, those tasty cupcakes will not prepare the youngsters for a Big Ten slate which includes trips to Illinois, Michigan and Michigan State. As much as I like co-captains Daryll Clark and Sean Lee, there are just too many holes along the offensive line and in the secondary to predict the type of season we witnessed last year. The Nittany Lions will stub their toes a couple of times during the regular season. Unlike last year, they won't find themselves in a BCS bowl game, but they'll be pretty darn close. Looks like these Lions are primed to spend New Year's in Florida at either the Capital One or Outback Bowl.

Record: 10-3

Ron Musselman, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

I think Daryll Clark and Evan Royster are two of the top offensive players in the Big Ten, but the lack of experience at wide receiver and on the offensive line is a concern. Defensively, Sean Lee and Navorro Bowman are a dynamic duo, but the secondary is a major issue, as is the non-conference schedule.

Record: 10-3

David Pencek, Town & Gown Football Annual

Normally, when a team has some of the significant holes to fill as Penn State has this season, you could forget about competing for the conference title and a trip to a BCS game. But with the schedule they have and the state of the Big Ten, the Lions have to be considered one of the favorites to win the conference again.

Running the table seems unlikely with uncertainty along the offensive line and in the secondary, but with Daryll Clark and Sean Lee pushing this team, anything is possible. Figure the Lions will win their home games, including a victory over the Buckeyes, but get tripped up at Illinois and then lose at the end to Michigan State. Unless some other Big Ten team beats Ohio State (the Buckeyes haven't lost more than one conference game in a season since 2004), the Lions could be looking at spending New Year's in Orlando.

Prediction: 11-2

Vinny Pezzimenti, Centre Daily Times

Questions, questions, questions. Penn State has plenty of them, but will it matter?

The non-conference schedule is filled with cream puffs and cupcakes and the Big Ten isn't exactly on an up tick. What's more, projected Big Ten champion Ohio State visits Beaver Stadium and the Nittany Lions' conference road schedule - Michigan, Michigan State, Illinois, Northwestern - isn't exactly daunting.

And although Penn State has its share of holes to fill on both sides of the ball it also has plenty of returning stars in Sean Lee, Daryll Clark, Narvorro Bowman, Evan Royster, Jared Odrick and Stefen Wisniewski.

It all adds up to another one-loss regular season, another conference title and another trip to the Rose Bowl.

Prediction: 11-2

Jeff Rice, Centre Daily Times

Few teams in "rebuilding mode," as these Nittany Lions appear to be in, boast as much star power as Penn State. Sean Lee, Navorro Bowman, Jared Odrick, Daryll Clark and Evan Royster should provide dynamic play as well as steady leadership. Breakout seasons by Jack Crawford and Derek Moyewouldn't hurt, either. But the Nittany Lions could be shaky in the secondary and along the offensive line, which will likely cost them a couple of games (Illinois and Michigan State, perhaps?) on the always-tough Big Ten road and the chance to defend their conference title.

Prediction: 11-2

Eric Thomas, Blue White Illustrated

I go back and forth on this one. The eight-game home schedule is cozy enough early that the offensive line can jell before the primetime game against now arch nemesis Iowa. The road schedule concerns me because Illinois will have the best offense in the conference and Michigan State is never an easy trip. Northwestern could be ranked by the time PSU travels there too. There will be a lingering concern hovering over the O-line all season. I don't see major problems in the secondary yet because there is a ton of potential there with the incoming crop.

If the offensive line can stay healthy and protect Daryll Clark, this team will go 11-1 and make it to the Rose Bowl as Big Ten champion again. I see a loss at Illinois, but I see a home win over Ohio State. I'll say this, too, I think the only team in the conference that has a chance to play for the national championship is Penn State, but the call is a second straight trip to Pasadena, this time with a win over Oregon.

Record: 12-1

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