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Wisconsin Football: Big Ten Power Rankings

By Tanner Nestle

MADISON, WI - OCTOBER 15: Alex Hornibrook #12 of the Wisconsin Badgers runs with the football during the second quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Camp Randall Stadium on October 15, 2016 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images)
MADISON, WI - OCTOBER 15: Alex Hornibrook #12 of the Wisconsin Badgers runs with the football during the second quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Camp Randall Stadium on October 15, 2016 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images) /
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COLLEGE PARK, MD – NOVEMBER 25: Head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions takes the field with his team before the start of their game against the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field on November 25, 2017 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MD – NOVEMBER 25: Head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions takes the field with his team before the start of their game against the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field on November 25, 2017 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

4. Penn State Nittany Lions

James Franklin’s crew is a tough bunch to get a read on. Trace McSorley is back for his final season, but he’s without some of his usual weapons. Saquon Barkley, DaeSean Hamilton and Mike Gesicki are all off to the NFL. A lot of key defenders have moved on too. Any success Penn State sees will be mostly thanks to McSorley and Franklin working their magic.

The biggest question Penn State needs to answer is on defense. The two leading tacklers from last year’s squad, Jason Cabinda and Marcus Allen, are no longer in State College. Linebacker Micah Parson is a true freshman, but might be counted on to play right away. The five-star recruit is one of the best players in the country coming to college football in 2018. If he’s a hit right away, he could help ease the transition to a newer defense.

Penn State is replacing a lot on offense, including offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead who took the head coaching job at Mississippi State. Such drastic changes might impact most teams in a big way, but Trace McSorley is a special kind of player.  Having a Heisman Trophy caliber quarterback like McSorley for one more season is huge. And you can always count on Franklin to have top-tier talent coming in with every recruiting class.

McSorley likes to stretch the field with his big arm and can pick up yards with his feet as good as anybody. He’s extremely athletic and really tough. As long as he’s on the field, Penn State has a chance. And he’s the biggest reason Penn State’s offense will probably still be fine next year. McSorley is capable of winning games on his own while the defense gets up to speed.