Penn State Football: 5 bold predictions for the 2017 season
By Zach Bigalke
1. Saquon Barkley will lead FBS in rushing yards and touchdowns
Last season, Saquon Barkley was one of the catalysts for Penn State’s offensive explosion. As a sophomore, Barkley finished 14th in the nation in season rushing yards and tied for seventh in rushing touchdowns. But it was just a prelude to the level of production Barkley will reach this year, in what is likely his final season in Happy Valley.
Most of the big names above Barkley on last year’s stats sheets have moved on to the NFL. College stars like Brian Hill, Donnel Pumphrey, Dalvin Cook, Christian McCaffrey, and Jeremy McNichols are now plying their trade in the pros.
Only three players that were ahead of him are back for the 2017 season. Two, Lamar Jackson and Quinton Flowers, are quarterbacks. The third, Northwestern’s Justin Jackson, needed 26 more carries to rush for 28 more yards than Barkley. In terms of rushing touchdowns, only Jackson had more scores on the ground than Barkley in 2016 among returning players. And after winning the Heisman last year, defenses will be keyed in on stopping Jackson on the ground.
What it all means is that Barkley will likely end up leading the FBS in 2017 in both rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. The junior running back will threaten the 2,000-yard mark and punch in at least two dozen touchdowns this year.