EARLY BIRD 2005 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW
RELEASED THANKSGIVING 2005
THE FULL 2005 PREVIEW WILL BE RELEASED THIS SPRING
CHECK OUT OUR 2004 PREVIEW TO SEE WHAT YOU ARE MISSING
PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS
OFFENSE - 8
------RETURNING STARTERS------
DEFENSE - 9
KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: Zack Mills-QB, Paul Jefferson-FB, Gerald Smith-WR, Robbie Gould-K
DEFENSE: Derek Wake-OLB, Andrew Guman-FS
Defensive Line, Linebacker

The defense pulled its weight throughout the fall. Connor and Posluszny make Happy Valley once again the proud home of Linebacker U.

Receiver, Quarterback

The confused receiving units have killed Joe Paterno. Skill talent is lacking in this area once again. The big question will be at QB where Mills is now out of the equation. Can prep phenom Anthony Morelli win the job and produce?

QB Anthony Morelli
 
DB Alan Zemaitis
 

* DEPTH CHARTS were only designed as a simplistic gauge for listing players that departed and players that received the most playing experience (consistent starters). NationalChamps.net recognizes the importance of missing personnel data not listed such as redshirts, transfers, injuries, incoming recruits, back ups and alternates. Their coverage will begin with our full 2005 Preseason Preview due out this coming spring.
PENN STATE 2005 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
OFFENSE
QB Michael Robinson-Sr Anthony Morelli-So / Chris Ganter-Sr
FB Matt Hahn-So ..
TB Tony Hunt-Jr Austin Scott-Jr / Rodney Kinlaw-So
WR Mark Rubin-So ..
WR Terrance Phillips-Sr ..
TE Isaac Smolko-Sr ..
OT Levi Brown-Jr ..
OG Charles Rush-Sr ..
C E.Z. Smith-Sr ..
OG Tyler Reed-Sr ..
OT John Wilson-Sr Andrew Richardson-Sr
K .. ..
DEFENSE
DE Tamba Hali-Sr Lavon Chisley-Sr
DT Jay Alford-Jr Ed Johnson-Jr
DT Scott Paxson-Sr ..
DE Matthew Rice-Sr ..
OLB .. ..
ILB Dan Connor-So Tim Shaw-Jr
OLB Paul Posluszny-Jr ..
CB Alan Zemaitis-Sr ..
CB Anwar Phillips-Sr ..
HERO Calvin Lowry-Sr ..
FS Paul Cronin-Sr ..
P Jeremy Kapinos-Jr ..
QUICK ANALYSIS

SURPRISE! Publicly, on the radio, this writer has mentioned on numerous occasions that 2005 would be Joe Paterno's best shot at improvement. The only question undermining this train of thought...is a 7-4 type of season really acceptable in Happy Valley? OK, so admittedly, this is a "going out on a limb" pick. One of our pet peeves at NationalChamps.net includes publications that make wild picks in an effort to be right only at the end. So does this mean the Nittany Lions are not likely to sit in our real 2005 Preview this spring? We'll see. However, this defense, even at this teams' worst moments in '04, was nothing to scoff at. Statistically, this defense stacks up better than most other Big Ten schools, which is even more amazing given the ineptitude of the offense. Closely perusing the defensive depth chart should reveal why Penn State is being considered for such a preseason ranking. So what is going on offensively? To summarize, the receivers are, simply put, real bad; the RBs (although possessing quite an upside) have not found their holes in this zone blocking system under new coordinator Galen Hall. And quarterback play? Ugh, Anthony Morelli where are you? No one is expecting Morelli to be the complete answer in just his second year. But he is our choice for offensive star because...well, there are no real offensive stars. He may not even beat out Michael "/ " Robinson for the job (that's slash for short). Robinson is better suited at RB, or even receiver. Yes, Joe Paterno should get this ONE more shot with these kids for his 39 years of service. Use it wisely, Joe, and let someone else get this offense straightened out, and then things will take care of themselves. At least that's what we told Temple three years ago as they were our #25 surprise pick. Here's wishing better luck to this second Pennsylvania prediction, and hopefully it doesn't remain a "blue" state.