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Penn State ranked in top 10 of early Athlon Sports rankings

By Barry Leonard Jr.

Jan 2, 2017; Pasadena, CA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) celebrates his touchdown with tight end Mike Gesicki (88) during the second quarter against the USC Trojans of the 2017 Rose Bowl game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2017; Pasadena, CA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) celebrates his touchdown with tight end Mike Gesicki (88) during the second quarter against the USC Trojans of the 2017 Rose Bowl game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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It’s the season of way-too-early rankings, so see where Penn State landed in the most recent predictions. 

With action on the field still over three months away, now is the time for predictions to come rolling in. With a surprising 2016 and much of the roster returning, Penn State has found itself right in the midst of the talk about the best teams in the nation. Athlon Sports was the latest publication to release early 2017 rankings and put the Nittany Lions in at No. 6.

The Nittany Lions have consistently been talked about as a playoff contender this offseason.

Despite falling to USC (ranked No. 5 by Athlon) in the Rose Bowl in January, Penn State enjoyed a fantastic season and developed into a high-scoring, potent team. That should continue in 2017, hence the reason for all of the preseason hype.

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Quarterback Trace McSorley will be back at the helm of the offense, which will once again be under the direction of offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead. Although top receiver Chris Godwin has gone to the NFL, McSorley still has plenty of weapons to throw to. Tight end Mike Gesicki and wide receivers Saeed Blacknall, DaeSean Hamilton, and Juwan Johnson should help ensure that the Nittany Lions once again have one of the top passing offenses in the nation.

Also helping Penn State is an experienced and much-improved offensive line.

Of course, it’s impossible to discuss the offense without mentioning running back Saquon Barkley. The junior enters the new season as one of the best backs in the nation and helps to make the Nittany Lions very dangerous on offense.Barkley should enter 2017 as one of the favorites for the Heisman Trophy.

On defense, the loss of linebacker Brandon Bell and both starting defensive ends could make things tough, but defensive coordinator Brent Pry has several reserves that he can plug in to help. Cornerback John Reid is out for the season, but a well-stocked defensive backfield will make the Nittany Lions solid on the back end of the defense.

As for actual games in 2017, the Nittany Lions have to travel to Columbus to take on the mighty Buckeyes. Tough teams like Pitt, Michigan, and Nebraska will all visit Beaver Stadium in 2017.

Alabama, Ohio State, Florida State, Washington, and USC are all ahead of the Nittany Lions in the Athlon rankings. Michigan (10) and Wisconsin (12) were the only other Big Ten schools included in the early rankings.

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