by James Franklin is a good coach, yet he cannot seem to get over the hump and take Penn State to the next level with the likes of Clemson, Alabama and Ohio State. Instead, he could be slipping further away this season.
There are two gigantic missing pieces for the team this year. One comes on offense and the other on defense.
KJ Hamler was an offensive weapon for the Nittany Lions in 2018 and 2019. The speedy returner and slot receiver was always dangerous with the ball in his hands. Hamler is currently a member of the Denver Broncos and there is not a single weapon like him in the 2020 Penn State offense.
As for the defense, the unit is missing the best linebacker in the country. Micah Parsons is a one-man wrecking crew. The perfect combination of speed, aggressiveness and hard-hitting screams NFL first round pick. Parsons racked up 191 total tackles, 99 solo tackles, six and a half sacks and six forced fumbles in his two years of playing.
Parsons opted out of the 2020 Big Ten season and decided not to join the rest of the Big Ten stars in returning when football came back this fall. Parsons could have a great NFL career ahead of him, but the Nittany Lions definitely could have used his help this season.
Sean Clifford is the returning starter at quarterback and put up respectable numbers in 2019, throwing for 2,654 yards and 23 touchdowns. The alarming number was the 59 percent completing percentage which he will hope to improve on this season.
Against Indiana, Clifford went 24-35 for 238 yards and three touchdowns. He was also intercepted twice in the ballgame. The Buckeyes will look to take advantage of some turnover woes.
A major concern for Penn State is the running game. Noah Cain was just ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a lower leg injury suffered in the loss to the Hoosiers. This comes after Journey Brown was sidelined indefinitely for an undisclosed medical injury. Ricky Slade also transferred to Old Dominion in the offseason which means only one of the top four running backs from last season’s team is currently available.
Sophomore Devyn Ford and backup quarterback Will Levis will be expected to carry the load on the ground.
Watch out for junior tight end Pat Freiermuth. He could account for a big portion of targets in the air attack.
Per usual, Penn State’s defensive front is strong and will be aggressive. Their hands will be full though against the OSU O-line.
