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| | Wednesday, August 30 Lions should live up to lower expectations | |||||
| By Jeff Potrykus Special to ESPN.com Penn State Nittany Lions 1999 record: 10-3 (5-3 Big Ten) Coach: Joe Paterno. Returning starters: 9 (7 offense, 2 defense) Outlook Unlike a year ago, expectations in Happy Valley are rather subdued. No talk of a Big Ten title, much less a national title. The reasons are clear: too few playmakers on offense and a bunch of no-names on defense. Forget about finding any first-round draft picks on this defense. Then again, the allegedly star-studded '99 unit faltered in the final quarter of those three consecutive losses. Paterno is a legend in the coaching fraternity and the program is steeped in tradition. However, except for the perfect '94 season the Nittany Lions haven't been able to stand toe-to-toe with the Big Ten's more physical teams. There is no reason to think that trend will change in 2000. Keep an eye on ... Senior quarterback Rashard Casey. After waiting his turn to take over at quarterback, Casey faces jail time after being charged with aggravated assault in May. Paterno has said he has no plans to hold Casey out of the lineup until the matter is settled in court. Casey's inconsistency drives Paterno crazy but there is no dependable backup. It's a good season if ... The Nittany Lions have won just five conference games in each of the last two seasons and in three of the past five. Penn State fans should be happy with a 5-3 conference mark this season. Jeff Potrykus covers the Big Ten for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |
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