West Virginia will have quarterback edge against Penn State, PFF rankings say: Newsstand
Penn State news, notes, and updates for Aug. 23 include Pro Football Focus’ rankings of the top FBS quarterbacks. We’ll also review the latest headlines and look at other top stories about the Nittany Lions on the penultimate Friday of the preseason.
Penn State tweets of the day
Pro Football Focus released its ranking of the top FBS quarterbacks on Thursday. The outlet’s Dalton Wasserman put his list together based on “production and potential for this college season and is not intended to be an NFL draft projection.” He put Penn State passer Drew Allar at No. 13, which is on par with College Football Network, which had the junior at No. 14, and in the ballpark of the Sporting News, which put the Nittany Lion at No. 20. So, while that did not raise eyebrows, what did was West Virginia quarterback Garrett Greene’s ranking. He is at No. 8, which suggests that the Mountaineers will have the edge under center when the two sides meet in Morgantown on Aug. 31 (Noon ET, FOX).
“Greene is perhaps the quietest superstar in college football,” Wasserman writes. “He led the nation in big-time throw rate last season by more than a full percentage point while also tying for the FBS lead in rushing touchdowns by a quarterback. Simply put: West Virginia is home to one of the best playmakers in college football. If Greene can improve his subpar accuracy, he could have a statistically massive season and the Mountaineers could be a surprise Big 12 contender.”
The debate will be settled in eight days. And, the winner of it will also almost certainly see his team win. Penn State enters the game as more than a touchdown favorite with the number sitting at anywhere from -8 to -9 at various sportsbooks.
Headlines of the day
How Kevin Winston Jr. became a Penn State captain, one of college football’s top safeties: McGonigal, PennLive
What They’re Saying: Former Penn State WR Jahan Dotson traded to Philadelphia Eagles: Snyder, BWI
Stephen Nedoroscik, Olympics Pommel Horse Star, to Compete on Dancing With the Stars: Wogenrich, SI
Penn State defensive tackles enjoy camp breakout boost: Bauer, BWI
Drew Allar Has Developed in ‘Every Area’ This Offseason: Engle, Statecollege.com
Penn State postseason projections: Early predictions spotlight Lions’ outlook: Pickel, BWI
Dear Andy: Is Penn State QB Drew Allar or Clemson QB Cade Klubnik under more pressure?: Staples, On3
Quote of the day
“He’s been great. We just haven’t really seen a whole lot. His attitude has been great. He’s done really well in the classroom. He’s obviously lived in the treatment room. The strength staff has been able to work with him. The trainers that have been working with him, everybody loves him. There’s just not a whole lot that we’ve been able to see up to this point, other than the stuff that we saw when we recruited him.”
—PSU coach James Franklin on second-year DT Alonzo Ford.
