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Penn State Football: 2017 season preview, predictions

By Connor Muldowney

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 03: James Franklin, head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions, celebrates with the Big Ten Championship trophy after Penn State beat the Wisconsin Badgers 38-31 at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 3, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 03: James Franklin, head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions, celebrates with the Big Ten Championship trophy after Penn State beat the Wisconsin Badgers 38-31 at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 3, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Big Ten Media Days
PASADENA, CA – JANUARY 02: Running back Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates after scoring on a 24-yard touchdown run in the first half against USC Trojans during the 2017 Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 2, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /

Offense

Penn State finished with the 21st-best scoring offense and 49th-best total offense in 2016, and it was thanks, in large part, to the emergence of Trace McSorley. He went from unknown sophomore to Big Ten champion quarterback in the span of 13 games.

McSorley is back to retake his throne under center after passing for 3,614 yards and 29 touchdowns with just eight picks last season. He could improve on that 58 percent completion rate, but there’s not much to complain about — especially since he can run, too. He added 365 yards and seven rushing scores.

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Leading receiver Chris Godwin departs, leaving the go-to target role to senior tight end Mike Gesicki. He might just be the best tight end in college football after catching 48 passes for 679 yards and five touchdowns. His connection with McSorley is undeniable.

DeAndre Thompkins, Saeed Blacknall and DaeSean Hamilton all return with starting experience and each finished with over 340 receiving yards in 2016. McSorley has plenty of weapons.

Most of an improving offensive line returns as there are four starters back from the 2016 rotation. Although Penn State averaged just 172 yards per game on the ground in 2016, these guys have come a long way from the Christian Hackenberg days.

Saquon Barkley living up to unfair expectations

If you’ve been following preseason conversations about the best players in the country, the overwhelming choice to be the nation’s top back is Saquon Barkley. The junior is coming off his bests season yet, rushing for 1,496 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2016.

Not only is he a solid runner, averaging 5.5 yards per touch, but he’s becoming known for being one of the strongest players, pound-for-pound, in college football. The hype surrounding the third-year back is immense, but can he truly live up to the expectations?

It’s not necessarily fair to dub him the best thing since sliced bread, but with the work he has put in during this past offseason as well as the numbers he’s accumulated through two seasons, he’s earned it. Whether Barkley likes it or not, the pressure is on.

Former five-star Miles Sanders will back him up and take some of the pressure off, though.

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