Penn State, known for its tough defense and grind-it-out offense, apparently now has a legitimate passing attack to make life even tougher for its foes. If Tony Sacca can continue to perform like he did Wednesday night against defending national champion Georgia Tech in the Kickoff Classic - he threw 5 touchdown passes in Penn State's 34-22 victory - the Nittany Lions will be legitimate national title contenders. Sacca will need to perform at near All-American level to lead Penn State through a very difficult schedule - Miami, Notre Dame, USC and BYU being four of its tougher foes.
Winning tends to strengthen relationships. Sacca has had an ongoing disagreement with Coach Joe Paterno on the importance of the forward pass. Apparently no more. Reports Ray Parrillo of Knight Ridder:For three years, they were Heckle and Jeckle.
Joe Paterno, the old coach, and Tony Sacca, the kid quarterback, sat on different limbs of the same tree at Penn State, pecking at each other from a distance.
Sacca would crow that Paterno's archaic passing scheme kept his wings clipped. An agitated Paterno would caw back that a loose tongue was not a sign of poise and leadership.
This year, they have a more accommodating relationship.
(After the Kickoff Classic win) Paterno and Sacca yukked it up with each other as if they were ready to turn their oral sparring into a comedy act.
Is Tony Sacca happy now? Paterno was asked. "My buddy Tony?" Paterno answered. "No, he won't be happy until he transfers to Houston."
Said Sacca, "Maybe I can get a redshirt year and do that."
Paterno installed the kind of passing formations Sacca once merely dreamed about. Triple receivers to one side close to the goal line. Tight end Rick Sayles in the slot. Receivers running underneath routes against the coverage. All kinds of motion. Welcome to the 1990s, Joe.
How will the local teams do this season? (BYU's projection of 9-3 was made last week).
Utah
The state's mystery team. Improving on defense and trying to find itself on offense. The Utes could finish anywhere from 2-10 to 8-4. They seem to have an 8-4 defense but will the offense put enough points on the scoreboard to get the team to a .500 or better record? The feeling here is there are just too many question marks - a quarterback who hasn't taken a snap as a Ute; promising but unproven runningbacks; a rebuilt offensive line - plus too difficult a schedule (3 Pac-10 schools in addition to Utah State as nonconference foes) to finish .500. The Utes finished 4-7 a year ago. They'll probably finish around the same this season.
Prediction: 5-7
Utah State
This is the year the Aggies should take the Big West title and go to the California Bowl. They play the other two conference crown challengers - Fresno State and San Jose State, plus darkhorse candidate Pacific - in Romney Stadium. This is said to be the best Aggie team in 10 years - 16 players who received All-Big West honors return. The schedule, however, has got to be the worst (read that to mean toughest) in at least 10 years. After WAC foe Utah the Aggies travel to Nebraska and Oklahoma. Then they start league play against co-favorite San Jose State before traveling to Provo to face BYU. The Utah and San Jose State games will determine what kind of a year this team will have.
Prediction: 6-5
Weber State
The Wildcats are young and they're restless. Though they're picked to finish in the second division of the Big Sky Conference, they've got an excellent quarterback - Jamie Martin - to provide skill and leadership. The defense, which only returns two starters, is supposed to be a pleasant surprise for Coach Dave Arslanian. The Wildcats should surprise some of their Big Sky Conference foes.
Prediction: 6-5
Southern Utah
A defense with speed may finally put the Thunderbirds in serious contention for the Western Football Conference title. A key will be how well incoming quarterback Bret Barben, a transfer from Snow Junior College, performs.
Prediction: 7-4
LOCAL FORECASTS - Instate rivals Utah and Utah state begin play tonight at Rice Stadium while Weber State boldly goes to Colorado Springs to take on the Air Force Academy.
Utah State 24, Utah 21
Obviously a big game for both teams but perhaps more so for Utah State since the Aggies face Nebraska and Oklahoma on the road after tonight's Rice Stadium game and will undoubtedly be 0-3 if they lose to the Utes. This is the best time for USU to play Utah - before quarterback Frank Dolce becomes used to Division I-A game conditions. USU's experience at quarterback and running back provide the edge.
Air Force 47, Weber State 17
The Wildcats will have their moments; the Falcons, though, will have a lot more of them. A wishbone attack is not a good way to open the season for the young, inexperienced Weber State defense. Maybe Air Force will start passing late in the game to hold down the score.