Ok, I can see us losing to Pitt, maybe...but Maryland, I don't see it. Maryland was awful last year and I'd be surprised if they are ready for the physical demands of the B10. Remember, Penn State was used to 11 win seasons when they joined the league 20 years ago and everyone thought they would win or share the title every other year...they have won 3 in 20 years...and two of those have now been vacated due to the Sandusky years. The ACC was never known as a physical grind it out league...granted, we play them early in the season, but with what we have coming back in the trenches, I don't see losing to Maryland.
Our offense had problems against the top tier defenses we played last year, MSU, Wisky, and LSU. Tell me which teams on the schedule the first ten games have those kinds of defenses returning...none. Factor in a similar improvement expectation on offense that occurred last year and I just don't see our offense struggling against these teams. I also trust Lavar and Jim Reid to get the LB's playing at a high level by game 5/6...not to the level of last year, but solid. Our DL is going to make them look better too. We could have the best DL in the league...and I think they will be better getting pressure too. That being said, Parker has shown he will put Spearman or Meier at DE on second and third and long...both of those guys will be better too. It's also the last year for McMinn/Spears to break in...we are deep and very good on the DL. It's amazing how far we have come in two years. I think Ott has a break out year...he's a great athlete and now has had two years to mature. He's going to be a beast.
I'm sure their could be a slip up somewhere, Pitt, Indiana, NW...but I think we are playing Wisky with one loss. I think the offense makes great strides and the nucleus on D should put us around 12-15 in the country...good enough to win the first ten.
