Opening Day has arrived, Penn State fans.
Yes, the memory of the Nittany Lions’ 4-5 season in 2020 still smarts but today’s Big Ten road date vs. powerful Wisconsin is a new start for a talented team. The problem is, the Badgers are talented, too.
Paul Chryst’s team is a slight favorite but Penn State has won the four last meetings in the series.
Here are a half-dozen of my late-week thoughts on the Lions’ Week 1 battle vs. Wisconsin.
Transfers in the spotlight. Penn State suffered heavy losses along the defensive line following the 2020 season but James Franklin and his assistants were able to add some intriguing players via the transfer portal. Defensive linemen Arnold Ebiketie and Derrick Tangelo are expected to see plenty of snaps today and coordinator Brent Pry has a talented defender to deploy on the back end in corner-safety Johnny Dixon.
Adding some “Juice” to the Lions’ offense. Penn State returns three starters on the offensive line in tackles Rasheed Walker and Caedan Wallace and center Mike Miranda, who played guard a year ago. Offensive line coach Phil Trautwein is set to debut another talented lineman as a starter – Juice Scruggs at right guard. Penn State cornerback Tariq Castro-Fields raved about Scruggs’ talent during the Big Ten media days sessions in Indianapolis in late July.
Penn State's Jahan Dotson (5) makes a touchdown reception against Indiana's Jamar Johnson (22) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Bloomington, Ind. Indiana won 36-35 in overtime. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) APAP
Jahan Dotson’s follow-up act. The Lions’ No. 1 wideout led the Big Ten in receiving yards last season with 884. He caught eight touchdown passes in nine games and averaged 17 yards per catch. Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard, a standout safety for the Badgers two decades ago, will have his secondary primed to slow Dotson. But will the Badgers, or any other secondary, be able to do it?
Is Sean Clifford still a dual-threat? Will the Lions still use Clifford on designed runs? The third-year starter amassed 215 combined rushing attempts in 2019 and 2020. But Penn State doesn’t have a proven backup behind Clifford with Will Levis now starting for Kentucky. Should offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich dial back Clifford’s rushing attempts?
Wisconsin wide receiver Danny Davis III celebrates his touchdown catch with Jake Ferguson (84) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)AP
Slowing Jake Ferguson. Wisconsin is known for its powerful rushing attack but the Badgers have a gifted, experienced thrower in Graham Mertz and a star tight end in Jake Ferguson. Will PSU load the “box” to slow the run or have a defender or two lurking in the vicinity of the 6-5, 244-pound Ferguson, who has 10 career touchdown receptions? How does Penn State’s talented safety, Jaquan Brisker, fit into the game plan to defend Ferguson and the rest of the Wisconsin offense?
Is the more talented team the underdog today? Wisconsin, as mentioned earlier, is a slight favorite and playing at home. The Badgers are also the pick of many to win the Big Ten West. But Franklin’s Lions are not lacking in talent. Running back, cornerback and tight end are team strengths and there are a few Lions who could go in the top 60 of the 2022 NFL draft. In NFL draft expert Dane Brugler’s initial ranking of his top 50 prospects for 2022, Penn State linebacker Brandon Smith and wideout Jahan Dotson check in at Nos. 38 and 47, respectively. Trust me when I tell you offensive tackle Rasheed Walker and safety Jaquan Brisker cannot be far behind.
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Penn State-Wisconsin Six for Saturday: The Badgers’ big weapon, Mike Yurcich’s plan for Sean Clifford, more - PennLive
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