Projected Postseason Top 25: #12 Penn State

If you’re lucky enough to have had a grandfather turned 80 you may remember he walked around with a limp, ran to the bathroom irregularly and said things that seem to have come out of nowhere. Well Joe Paterno is now 80, he sustained a broken leg, had to leave the field in the middle of the Ohio State-Penn State game to take care of some “stomach issues” and during this offseason punished his whole team for some off-field indiscretions by having them clean Beaver Stadium after home games. All of these are signs that with a talented team and a favorable schedule there won’t be many opportunities like this year to win one for JoePa.

Projected Record and Bowl Result: 11-2 Lose to #4 in Sugar Bowl

Who they’ll beat: Florida International (Home), Notre Dame (Home), Buffalo (Home), Illinois (Road), Iowa (Home), Wisconsin (Home), Indiana (Road), Ohio State (Home), Purdue (Home), Temple (Road), Michigan State (Road)

Who’ll beat them: Michigan (Road), #4 (New Orleans, LA)

When they Pass: Say what you will about Anthony Morelli’s first three seasons at Happy Valley, the senior has all the weapons he needs to make his final season the one to remember him by. Derrick Williams joins Deon Butler and Jordan Norwood as perhaps the Big Ten’s best receivers.

When they Run: Austin Scott attempts to return from season ending knee and ankle injuries, his ability to produce is critical to Morelli and this offense’s success. Four starters return on the offensive line to help this cause.

When their Opponents Run: Even with retooled defensive line, nobody’s going to get rich running on Linebacker U. Dan Connor will move to the middle to replace Paul Posluszny to make sure of that.

When their Opponents Pass: This is looking a lot better now that 5 of 7 charges against Anthony Scirrotto from an off-campus bar fight have been dropped. Justin King is a shutdown corner.

When they Kick: Kevin Kelly needs to return to his 2005 form if the Nittany Lions are going to win some inevitable close games in the Big Ten.

When they call Timeout: JoePa will be on the sidelines, in the coach’s box, wherever he wants to be for as long as he wants to be there. How long that will be only JoePa knows. He has a former head coach (OC Galen Hall) and a future head coach (DC Tom Bradley) on his staff.