Joe Paterno and his beloved Nittany Lions are legit contenders to win the Big Ten once again. Big-play offensive players and stout linebackers have the fans in Happy Valley excited for the new season. SportsBetting.com has made the Penn State Nittany Lions 40 to 1 betting odds to win the 2008 BCS.
The days of power running up the gut at Penn State are no longer. The State offense uses 3 and 4 receiver sets and occasionally the option. The leader of the Nittany Lions offense will be senior QB Anthony Morelli. Morelli, 6-4 232, has zip on all of his throws and is a poised pocket passer. Former top recruit Austin Scott, 6-0 222, will be the feature back with capable Rodney Kinlaw, 5-9 201, as the #2 back after averaging 5.1 yards per carry last season.
Opening holes will be bulldozing fullback Matt Hahn, 6-0 236. Three starters return from an offensive line that looks vulnerable after losing left tackle Levi Brown to the NFL. Guard John Shaw, 6-4 303, should be the anchor to the line. The receivers are one of the best units in the nation with flyer Derrick Williams, 6-0 203, expected to post monster numbers.
Penn State runs out of the 4-3 defense with speed all over the field. There are not many ways to attack the defense because they have no apparent weakness. The linebackers have an All-American in middle linebacker Dan Conner, 6-3 233, who made 113 tackles last season and will be playing in the NFL next season. OLB Sean Lee, 6-2 232, has 4.6 speed and could be a Big 10 all-conference player by seasons end.
The D-line is being revamped but they have a DE pass-rush specialist in freshman Aaron Maybin, 6-4 238, who gets great jumps off the snap. The secondary features a shutdown corner in junior Justin King, 6-0 186. Strong Safety Anthony Scirrotto, 6-0 195, has terrific ball skills having plucked 6 INT’s last year. The return game is in good hands with dynamic Derrick Williams providing a big play threat. The kicking game is up in the air but place-kicker Kevin Kelley has shown some upside.
The Nittany Lions have a good shot at being the sleeper in the Big 10 with a savvy coaching staff and a big-armed passer in Morelli.
Look for Penn State to win 9 games on their way to a middle-tier bowl.
Brad Marchetti’s Opening Game Penn State Nittany Lions Power Ratings: 20-80 Scale
20- Poor
30- Well Below Average
40- Below Average
50- Average
60- Above Average
70- Very Good
80- Great
Coaching: 65
Quarterback : 70
Backs : 60
Receivers : 70
Offensive Line : 50
Defensive Line : 60
Linebackers : 70
Secondary : 70
Special Teams : 65
Alabama
100 – 1
Arizona
300 – 1
Arizona St
50 – 1
Arkansas
60 – 1
Auburn
100 – 1
BYU
300 – 1
Boise St
100 – 1
Boston College
200 – 1
California
40 – 1
Clemson
100 – 1
Colorado
200 – 1
Florida
8 – 1
Florida St
30 – 1
Georgia
35 – 1
Georgia Tech
75 – 1
Hawaii
300 – 1
Iowa
100 – 1
Kansas St
300 – 1
LSU
6 – 1
Louisville
20 – 1
Maryland
300 – 1
Miami FL
30 – 1
Michigan
8 – 1
Missouri
25 – 1
Nebraska
40 – 1
North Carolina St
300 – 1
Notre Dame
60 – 1
Ohio St
30 – 1
Oklahoma
12 – 1
Oklahoma St
50 – 1
Oregon
50 – 1
Oregon St
300 – 1
Penn St
40 – 1
Pittsburgh
300 – 1
Purdue
300 – 1
Rutgers
75 – 1
South Carolina
75 – 1
South Florida
100 – 1
TCU
100 – 1
Tennessee
45 – 1
Texas
10 – 1
Texas A&M
60 – 1
Texas Tech
300 – 1
UCLA
35 – 1
USC
5 – 2
Virginia Tech
30 – 1
Wake Forest
300 – 1
West Virginia
8 – 1
Wisconsin
30 – 1
Field (Any Other Team)
100 – 1
