College Football Rankings: Way-too-early Top 25 projections for 2018
By Zach Bigalke
Penn State failed to repeat as Big Ten champions, but unlike 2016 they managed to close out their year with a win in a New Year’s Six bowl game. The Nittany Lions set up a belated showdown of Big Ten and Pac-12 champions from 2016 when they faced Washington in the Fiesta Bowl. In a solid all-around performance, the Nittany Lions walked away victorious from Glendale to cap another 11-win season.
Saquon Barkley racked up 137 rushing yards and two touchdowns in his final game before turning pro. Trace McSorley also put in a huge performance, throwing for 342 yards on 32-of-41 passing. The senior threw two interceptions as well, but atoned with two touchdown passes. DaeSean Hamilton was his favorite target, finishing the night with five catches for 110 yards and both touchdown receptions.
Two of three, save McSorley, will be gone from Happy Valley next season, along with several other upperclassmen. With teams like Michigan State and Michigan back in the Big Ten East race, it will be harder for the Nittany Lions to contend in 2018.
Still, they will get one of the top dozen spots in the preseason AP Top 25 when it is released months from now. Franklin has put together the fourth-best recruiting class in the country as of the December signing day, and a manageable non-conference schedule will open the door for another double-digit winning season.