We have them at home - probably national game (WV-Pitt only other game of note Sept 1 but Penn State will push viewership over the region) - We'll be fully healthy (so will they but they can go deeper late in season).
Key IMO will be improving our red zone efficiency. Cant settle for 3 points esp w/AOC and our TEs. (45% RZ scores were field goals last year)
Long Athletic Article
theathletic.com
Some key points I (biasly) cherry picked (but they are there for the picking...)
Key IMO will be improving our red zone efficiency. Cant settle for 3 points esp w/AOC and our TEs. (45% RZ scores were field goals last year)
Long Athletic Article
Penn State faces present challenges as James Franklin builds for future
Penn State is trying to recover from a 2021 letdown that ended with a 7-6 record and a new 10-year deal for Franklin. Is a turnaround ahead?
theathletic.com
Some key points I (biasly) cherry picked (but they are there for the picking...)
- ..new defensive coordinator Manny Diaz and a roster that continues to be retooled.
- ...limited depth in the linebacking corps will be one of the team’s biggest challenges. (Opportunity for AOC to pick them apart)
- ... 7-17 against Ohio State, Michigan and Michigan State during Franklin’s tenure
- ...last year’s losses by a combined seven points to Michigan and Michigan State
- ...Penn State allowed its quarterbacks to be pressured (sack, hit or hurry) on 32.9% of dropbacks, ranked 78th in FBS and 10th in Big Ten.
- ... just 5.5% of the team’s running back carries gaining at least 12 yards, which ranked 125th in the FBS, after it ranked 93rd in 2020
- ...Key stat to know: The Penn State defense allowed touchdowns on just 13.6% of its drives last season, the 5th-lowest rate in the FBS. Penn State’s play in the red zone impressed, with the Nittany Lions ranked third in the FBS in red zone touchdown rate (37.5 percent) and fifth in yards per play allowed in the red zone (2.2). Penn State’s five red-zone takeaways were tied for third most nationally. (This probably saved their Bacon from being worse than 7-6 : This is where we have to win the battle - we'll move the ball, but can settle for 3s or get picked).
- ...though there’s still plenty of talent on this roster, at least enough to improve upon last year’s disappointing 7-6 record and win eight or nine games.
