8.) Penn State
Nov 30, 2013; Madison, WI, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback Trevor Williams (10) gains yardage during the game with the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Penn State defeated Wisconsin 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports
The Nittany Lions stand a good chance of being way better than this ranking suggests, mainly because they only lose top-tier safety Malcolm Willis (no relation) and his 50.5 tackles. Their biggest problem last season was that their secondary was inconsistent; in win’s they were solid but in losses they were horrible. 37.6 points in losses, 18 points per game in wins. And opponents yards per completion rose almost three points in wins compared to losses.
But Trevor Williams and Jordan Lucas are talented cornerbacks who return a combined 26 interceptions/batted down balls and 4.5 tackles for loss, while Adrian Amos and Ryan Keiser hauled in six picks for the safety unit. You get the point. This unit has proven to occasionally make plays, and they’re also known to give up big ones as well. Hence why they’re in the muddled middle as opposed to the top of the pack.