Nittany Lions Wire Roundtable: Reasons for concern in 2022
As we begin to move closer to the start of a new college football season in Happy Valley, the staff at Nittnay Lions Wire is spending some time sounding off on some big questions facing the Nittany Lions this fall. Today’s focus is our reasons for caution in 2022.
We took a look at our reasons for optimism in our last roundtable, so we are flipping to the other side of this conversation to see what has us most alarmed going into the 2022 season.
Sam Dehring, Contributor
@sam_dehring68
I feel like many are going to have the same answer for this one. Sean Clifford. If you want to go elsewhere, I do think their offensive line has a lot to prove going into the 2022 season. However, Clifford struggled a lot last season. One thing I always liked about him is his athleticism and his ability to extend plays down the field. But it’s his decision-making that has been inconsistent for Penn State.
Last season, Clifford had Jahan Dotson and others that I liked how much he would get them involved in their offense. This year, he will have Parker Washington, Western Kentucky wide receiver transfer Mitchell Tinsley, KeAndre Lambert-Smith, two tight ends that should probably be getting more attention in the college football world in Brenton Strange and Theo Johnson and an intriguing running back room, headlined by Keyvone Lee and freshman Nicholas Singleton.
Overall, that’s one of the best offenses Clifford will have in a while. There are some goods to Clifford’s game, and when he is consistent, the offense is moving.
There were a few games last season where the Nittany Lions were so reliant on their defense because couldn’t move the ball efficiently down the field. If Penn State can play every 2022 game consistently on both sides of that ball, especially with an intriguing offense, it will be an interesting season. And that all starts with Clifford. If that doesn’t happen, it’s going to be a long season for the Nittany Lions in 2022.
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Andrew Harbaugh, Contributor
@MandrewNFL
I hate to be this blunt but, the answer is Sean Clifford. Even Franklin D. Roosevelt grew out of favor after three terms, Clifford is entering his sixth year at Penn State and it is holding this offense back. I sincerely hope we get to see Drew Allar early and they rely on Nick Singleton and Keyvonne Lee. Otherwise, this is just a wasted year all around for the Nittany Lions.
Kevin McGuire, Editor
@KevinOnCFB
There will be plenty of attention on the quarterback position this season, but for me, the biggest concern is still the protection provided to him up front. The offensive line was the catalyst for many of the offensive inconsistencies last season with a lack of a running game and Sean Clifford constantly being under pressure.
Penn State does have some interesting players to watch on the offensive line in 2022, including transfer Hunter Nourzad and the rising Juice Scruggs, but this is clearly a unit that has the most room for improvement in the fall, and it is one that has to earn respect more than any other position group on the field.
I’m cautious on the offensive line even more so after James Franklin’s media day comments suggesting he is not going to vocally pump them up as he has in the past. Instead, Franklin is going to let the players let their play do the talking for them. And that is a concern for me. Perhaps it’s just a new way of approaching the coaching of the position from the head coach, or maybe it’s a sign he isn’t quite convinced himself that this year will be better.
Whatever the case may be, if the offensive line struggles, the entire offense will suffer, especially against better opponents.
List
Penn State Nittany Lions 2022 Football Schedule
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