Penn State is 5-0, as it should be.
Coach James Franklin’s team is better than each of the five its played, and hence came into all five games favored.
But there are have been pleasant surprises in Penn State’s season.
Many people didn’t expect five-star freshman Drew Allar to be named Penn State’s QB2 before the season started.
He was.
Fewer people expected Allar to play in four of Penn State’s first five games.
He did.
Allar isn’t the only true freshman that’s had a bigger role than expected.
Freshmen running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen both played significant roles in the offense right away, which might have surprised some. True freshman linebacker Abdul Carter has become one of Penn State’s most explosive defensive players, which not everybody expected.
Chop Robinson isn’t a true freshman, but is pretty close. In just his second year of college football, the defensive end who transferred from Maryland this past spring is already one of Penn State’s best players and, arguably, is one of the best defensive ends in the country.
Pro Foootball Focus has Robinson rated as the top edge rusher in college football.
The highest-graded edge rusher in college football according to Pro Football Focus?
Penn State’s Chop Robinson.
— Joe Smeltzer (@joesmeltzer775) September 27, 2022
Going back to the offense, Brenton Strange is coming into his own at tight end, both in receiving and blocking.
There have also been some negative surprises.
Landon Tengwall hasn’t really come into his own at left guard yet, and Penn State collectively hasn’t played well the past two games, albeit winning both against Central Michigan and Northwestern, respectively.
But overall, Penn State is a balanced team that doesn’t have many obvious weak spots.
So, Penn State fans, what do you think? Is this team better, worse or the same as you thought it would be through five games?
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