Big Ten Football: 5 biggest potential upsets of the 2017 season
1. Penn State at Ohio State (Oct. 28)
As previously mentioned, this game could single-handedly decide the fate of the Big Ten.
Both Penn State and Ohio State have absolutely loaded rosters, so this game would be an upset in name only. Though Ohio State is currently ranked four places higher than Penn State, by week eight their rankings could very well be flipped.
But for the time being lets evaluate just how Penn State could upset Ohio State for the second year in a row, this time in enemy territory.
Meet the Nittany Lions
The 2017 Penn State squad is absolutely loaded with talent.
Coach James Franklin has taken a squad crippled by NCAA sanctions and through smart recruiting built one of college footballs newest potential dynasties.
The focal point of the Nittany Lions’ offense is junior super star Saquon Barkley.
Barkley is a generational talent for Fraklin’s squad; a players capable of attacking opposing defenses with inside runs, outside runs and even as a receiver out of the backfield. Saquon has been timed running a sub 4.4 40-yard dash and squat over 495 pounds at Penn State’s spring max out day, and this combination of strength and speed definitely translates on the field.
Teams have to specifically scheme around Barkley if they want any chance of winning a game against the Lions, but unfortunately for them Saquon is far from the team’s only weapon.
Related Story: Penn State Football: Comparing Saquon Barkley to recent 1st-round RBs
Quarterback Trace McSorley has one of the nation’s best tight ends in senior Mike Gesicki, and a plethora of formidable vertical threats in receivers Saeed Blacknall, Juwan Johnson and DaeSean Hamilton.
On defense the lions are returning a fairly veteran unit.
The team will not be starting a single first year player, and should be able to control the line of scrimmage with an aggressive defensive line. Additionally, the Lions have an athletic linebacking corp, with players like Koa Farmer, Manny Bowen and Jason Cabinda manning the middle of the field.
The defensive secondary is lead by seniors Marcus Allen, a near lock to be drafted in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, and Grant Haley, a tried and true 5-foot-10 cover corner with 34 career games. Their experience in fourth year defensive coordinator Brent Pray’s cover two scheme will be paramount when facing off against spread offenses.
If the Lions are able to continue to progress like they did in the second half of last season another national championship trophy could be finding a home in Happy Valley.
Why it could be an upset
There is an old saying that teams should build their rosters to win their division, and it would appear that James Franklin may have taken these words to heart.
The Lion’s squad is almost perfectly designed to grade out favorably against Urban Meyer’s squad.
A key to slowing down the Buckeyes offense is containing the run, one of the Lions front seven’s specialties. Penn State’s defensive line prides itself on the ability to spill through gaps in opposing offensive lines, and disrupt running backs at the point of attack.
Another key to stopping Ohio State’s offense is containing quarterback J.T. Barrett. His athleticism allows him to escape a collapsing pocket and rush for additional yards on broken plays, but again Penn State has an answer for this in redshirt junior linebacker Koa Farmer.
Related Story: Penn State Football: Is Koa Farmer the Nittany Lion’s secret weapon?
Farmer, a converted safety, is a true sideline to sideline linebacker in the vein of former Ohio State standout Ryan Shazier. Between the consistent pressure delivered by PSU’s defensive line and Farmer’s ability to shadow J.T. on obvious passing downs should make it a lot harder for Barrett to defeat the Nittany Lions with his legs.
On offense, Penn State has one of the best stables of young pass catchers in college football. These wide receivers and tight ends will be facing off against Ohio State’s newly-built secondary, that has three new starters follow a mass exudes of first round NFL talent. While this secondary will have time to mesh over the first half of the 2017 season, the advantage is firmly Penn State’s.
Next: Big Ten Football: Season preview, final standings predictions
Regardless of who is the higher ranked team on Oct. 28th this will be a must see game for any college football fan, and one that could affect all of college football.