2007 Nittany Lions Schedule & Forecast

9-1 Florida International

9-8 Notre Dame

9-15 Buffalo

9-22 @ Michigan

9-29 @ Illinois

10-6 Iowa

10-13 Wisconsin

10-20 @ Indiana

10-27 Ohio State

11-3 Purdue

11-10 @ Temple

11-17 @ Michigan State

Just a few seasons ago, Penn State had major issues at WR. In a short amount of recruiting time, coach Paterno has rearranged this unit into a group of top-flight athletes. Derrick Williams, Deon Butler and Jordan Norwood are no longer the heralded freshmen from highly regarded recruiting classes.

This, their junior year, is the time to deliver the goods in a big way. The immediate issue at hand is getting promising Pittsburgh-native Anthony Morelli to consistently deliver them the football. Morelli, in his first year of starting this past fall, did not meet some of the higher expectations some (including himself) originally felt he bought to the offensive table. A 10:8 touchdown-to-interception ration isn't going to win many tough games.

All-Big Ten RB Tony Hunt's services will no longer be available. Look for young A.J. Wallace to get a try out for the job. Should Wallace turn out to be a better fit on the defensive side, hopes are that injured senior Austin Scott can return healthy to boost the run game. While this OL was short on experience in ‘06, this time around they have much of it.

Having OT Levi Brown graduate to the NFL creates a big void. The rebuilding process will have to start up front on the DL. 2005 Butkus Winner Paul Posluszny will move on, which means LB Dan Connor will no longer be playing in his shadow. This is still Linebacker U., so one of the nation's better run defenses can rest (somewhat) assured knowing they have a steady group backing up a new-look front line.

The secondary will be the strength of this defense led by Justin King and Anthony Scirrotto. Opponents will attempt to test this defense by running the ball between the tackles. To a large degree, this Nittany Lion’s destiny will be determined by how well the DL can mature given the physical play in this conference.

The offense will be a better version than the one displayed this past fall (nation's 72nd ranked scoring offense). If Morelli can play like a senior and the new RBs can be as effective as the departed Tony Hunt, Penn State will push for another New Year's Day Bowl bid.

For that to spell BCS over the likes of Michigan and Ohio State will take more work.

http://www.nationalchamps.net/2007/earlybird/index.htm