The Penn State Nittany Lions have all the pieces in place for an ascent up the SEC ladder in 2015. However, there are still plenty of questions to be answered before we pencil them into the conference title game. Here’s our list of 5 Burning Questions For Penn State Football Heading Into The 2015 Season.
1. Is The Offensive Line Ready To Step Up?
Head coach James Franklin has repeatedly said that the offensive line is progressing, but there’s still plenty of work to be done after Penn State starters gave up five sacks in the spring game against a defense primarily made up of second- and third-stringers. Left tackle transfer Paris Palmer is still a big question mark and PSU’s four returning starters have plenty to prove when it comes to protecting Christian Hackenberg.
2. Hackenberg For Heisman?
Hackenberg when through some major growing pains as a sophomore, but he’s got the pure talent to turn in a Heisman-worthy season in his junior campaign. If the offensive line can solidify itself and a receiver or two can emerge as legit top-tier threats, Hackenberg’s dominant 350-yard performance in this past postseason’s Pinstripe Bowl will only be the tip of his awesomeness iceberg.
3. Can The Team’s Running Game Lead The Charge?
The aforementioned Hackenberg and the passing game were inconsistent during the spring game, but dynamic running backs Akeel Lynch and Nick Scott had no such inconsistency on the ground. Both are pure home-run threats when given space, and it’s evident that both are primed to take a major leap for the Nittany Lions this coming season. But, will they?
4. What's Going On At Defensive End?
Deion Barnes and CJ Olaniyan are off seeking NFL fame and fortune, but their replacements aren’t going to be slouches if their springs are to be believed. Carl Nassib and Garrett Sickels both shined in the spring game, and there’s plenty of youthful depth behind them to suggest that the team will be stout on the edges.
5. Can Penn State Climb A Daunting East Division Ladder?
For Penn State to nudge its way into the Big Ten title game, they'll have to jumpfrog the defending national champs (Ohio State), and true College Football Playoff contender with a Heisman candidate under center (Michigan State), and a few "who knows" dark horses in Michigan, Rutgers and Maryland. It's a heck of a task, but it'd be that much sweeter if they pull it off.
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