Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/79325
NEWS & NOTES sewn onto the backs of white road jerseys. prepared before being Penn State Athletics WHAT'S IN A NAME? Nameplates are PSU uniforms to change with addition of names FOOTBALL Since 1908 – when numbers first appeared on the jersey – Penn State's uniform has changed approximately once every seven years. Stripes were added around the col- lar and sleeves in 1980 before being removed last season. In 1951 a blue stripe appeared on the white pants, only to disappear by '70. Numbers NATE BAUER The sanctions handed down by the NCAA have dealt the Nit- tany Lions a tough hand, but Bill O'Brien's first season at the helm doesn't have to be a catastrophe by any means. With an improved line and a steady one-QB system, the of- fense will improve, even without Silas Redd and Justin Brown. Staying healthy on defense will be critical, es- pecially in the secondary, but the front seven is among the best in the conference and should keep this team in games even against the toughest opponents. If they get through the nonconference schedule at 4-0 or even 3-1, the Lions will be poised for an eight-win season. Prediction: 8-4 PHIL GROSZ If Penn State's starting of- fensive and defensive units can re- main healthy, and if a number of un- derclassmen play up to the potential they showed in spring practice, this team can produce an 8-4 or quite possibly a 9-3 record. How it comes out of the gate in the nonconference schedule in September will set the tone for the entire season. If Penn State wins all four nonconference games, I believe a nine-win season is realistic. Prediction: 9-3 MATT HERB O'Brien and his senior lead- ers did a fantastic job of holding this team together, but the small contin- gent of departing players did include two key names: Silas Redd and Antho- ny Fera. Those guys accounted for 104 of Penn State's 251 points last year, and I can't help but think that their exit will be reflected in the win- loss column this fall. Before the NCAA stepped in, I was envisioning an eight- or nine-win season. Now? Six or seven sounds about right. Prediction: 7-5 TIM OWEN Vegas set Penn State's sea- son over/under line at 5.5 victories. The Lions should be able to win at least five of their first seven games. After that, however, the schedule gets hairy, with daunting matchups against Ohio State, Nebraska and Wisconsin, along with Purdue and In- diana. Victories against the Boiler- makers and Hoosiers seem realistic, but who knows what the roster will look like come Week 10. If injuries hit hard, the second half of the season could be a grind, especially since depth is already a concern. I'll still take the over. Prediction: 7-5 RYAN SNYDER It's hard to imagine the loss of Silas Redd, Justin Brown and Anthony Fera not costing PSU at least one close game, most likely in the nonconference season. But once Big Ten play starts, I expect Bill Bel- ton and Sam Ficken to show why they were highly recruited. The Sept. 8 matchup against Virginia will let everyone know where this team really stands, but watch out for Navy the following week, as its option offense isn't easy to prepare for. I do think PSU will upset one of its Big Ten ri- vals this year, with Ohio State being my early pick for the Game of the Year. Prediction: 7-5