With a crew like this, longtime defensive coordinator and linebacker guru Jerry Sandusky is almost certain to go out in style. The kicking game is good enough to help win a national title. Punter Pat Pidgeon has averaged 42.6 yards per boot the past two years, while placekicker Travis Forney made nine field goals and scored 33 points in final two games last season. Return men Bruce Branch and Eddie Drummond are burners. So far, so great.
Love can be blind.
This team is not without its flaws. Kevin Thompson is an able quarterback whose initial season as a starter was on par with Kerry Collins' first year. In 1999, the only three numbers that will count for Thompson are wins, interceptions and touchdown passes. He needs to throw for more than the six scores he did in 1998, and it is up to an average group of receivers to make that happen. Eric McCoo must be the man at running back.