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The Godfather Penn State ('98: 9-3, 5-3 Big Ten)
Posted: Wednesday August 11, 1999 05:47 PM
The Plot
Penn State is still the baby of the conference, but its 1999 squad could have all the ingredients of a classic Big Ten juggernaut - a near flawless defense, a talented tailback and a patriarchal sideline figure coordinating it all. But fans in Happy Valley are most concerned about quarterback, where Kevin Thompson still enters fall above fan-favorite Rashard Casey on the depth chart. PSU's gifted defense is second to none on paper, but blowouts to Ohio State, Michigan and Wisconsin last year proved the unit fallible.
The DirectorJoe Paterno -- 34th season, 307-80-3
StarringLB LaVar Arrington - A bona fide beast and probably the country's top linebacker.RB Eric McCoo - Gained 927 yards on 6.3 yards a carry as a freshman. DE Courtney Brown - Equally imposing as pass rusher and rush stopper.
Co-starringLB Brandon Short - defense's spiritual anchor and chief run stuffer.CB David Macklin -- Follows Charles Woodson and Antoine Winfield as conference pass-cover extraordinaire. LB Mac Morrison - Outside component of "Linebacker U"
Why it will workBecause McCoo will be a factor the entire season this time, and the defense is far more experienced than its opponents' offenses.
Why it won'tIf neither Thompson nor Casey steps up his level of play to take some of the offensive responsibility off McCoo.
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