BlogPoll Round Table #5- Rankings
Why They Should Be Ranked:
Penn State- The Nittany Lions return 10 of 11 starters on a defense that was the only unit in the country to allow 21 points or less in every game last season. Unfortunately, the offense was about as inept as it gets. However, the Lions pulled in a strong recruiting class and addressed one of the program’s biggest needs over the past decade- speed. The biggest additions are the #1 rated player in the nation, WR Derrick Williams (Greenbelt, Maryland) and the #1 rated cornerback in the nation Justin King (Monroeville, Pennsylvania), who will also see time as the slot receiver. The offense should be much improved if only one thing happens- improvement along the offensive line. The offensive line is made up of four seniors and a junior and all but one of them is a returning starter (center Lance Antolick). Guard Tyler Reed is renowned a terrific athlete on the offensive line but just as the rest of the line was in 2004, they were overpowered by the defense putting eight in the box. With the addition of some speedy wide-outs and the athletic Michael Robinson at QB, the offensive line should help to open up the run game and improve a paltry passing game. Penn State should win at least eight games so look smart now and add the Nittany Lions at the bottom of the Top 25.
Why They Shouldn’t be Ranked:
Florida State- The Seminoles appear to be in dire straights after losing QB Wyatt Sexton and CB Antonio Cromartie for the season. The Seminoles also lost standout DT Travis Johnson to the NFL. The offense will now be breaking in new starters at QB, WR, both LT and RT as well as LG. The defense should still be strong with Ernie Sims, Buster Davis and A.J. Nicholson all returning at linebacker. However, with all of the new starters on offense and the terrific defenses of N.C. State and Boston College I just see Florida State as being a notch below those two teams. I think Florida State is capable of winning seven games, perhaps eight, and in the weaker of the two ACC divisions, that may be enough to win it. However, I wouldn’t bet on them and don’t see them as one of the nation’s Top 25 teams as of right now.
Penn State- The Nittany Lions return 10 of 11 starters on a defense that was the only unit in the country to allow 21 points or less in every game last season. Unfortunately, the offense was about as inept as it gets. However, the Lions pulled in a strong recruiting class and addressed one of the program’s biggest needs over the past decade- speed. The biggest additions are the #1 rated player in the nation, WR Derrick Williams (Greenbelt, Maryland) and the #1 rated cornerback in the nation Justin King (Monroeville, Pennsylvania), who will also see time as the slot receiver. The offense should be much improved if only one thing happens- improvement along the offensive line. The offensive line is made up of four seniors and a junior and all but one of them is a returning starter (center Lance Antolick). Guard Tyler Reed is renowned a terrific athlete on the offensive line but just as the rest of the line was in 2004, they were overpowered by the defense putting eight in the box. With the addition of some speedy wide-outs and the athletic Michael Robinson at QB, the offensive line should help to open up the run game and improve a paltry passing game. Penn State should win at least eight games so look smart now and add the Nittany Lions at the bottom of the Top 25.
Why They Shouldn’t be Ranked:
Florida State- The Seminoles appear to be in dire straights after losing QB Wyatt Sexton and CB Antonio Cromartie for the season. The Seminoles also lost standout DT Travis Johnson to the NFL. The offense will now be breaking in new starters at QB, WR, both LT and RT as well as LG. The defense should still be strong with Ernie Sims, Buster Davis and A.J. Nicholson all returning at linebacker. However, with all of the new starters on offense and the terrific defenses of N.C. State and Boston College I just see Florida State as being a notch below those two teams. I think Florida State is capable of winning seven games, perhaps eight, and in the weaker of the two ACC divisions, that may be enough to win it. However, I wouldn’t bet on them and don’t see them as one of the nation’s Top 25 teams as of right now.
posted by The Nittany Blog at 5:48 AM
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