PREVIEW Page 2 | Wednesday, Aug

Vol. 47, No. 29 Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017 SPORTSFALL PREVIEW PAGE 2 | WEDNESDAY, AUG. 9, 2017 FALL SPORTS PREVIEW THE DAILY COLLEGIAN Marcus Allen brings the hype By Jack R. Hirsh THE DAILY COLLEGIAN PENN STATE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE 2017 There are few Penn State Opponent Date Time players more recognizable than Marcus Allen. But perhaps it VS. Akron 9/2 12:00 p.m. ET is Allen’s social FOOTBALL media alter ego, Chico_Hendrxx VS. Pittsburgh 9/9 3:30 p.m. ET that is more popular than the man behind the phone. While the junior safety is one of the best defensive players on VS. Georgia State 9/16 7:30 p.m. ET Penn State’s roster, he also has one of the strongest social media games. @ Iowa 9/23 TBA The only Nittany Lion with more Instagram and Twitter followers than Allen is none other TBA than Heisman trophy candidate, VS. Indiana 9/30 running back Saquon Barkley. Allen has nearly 50,000 Insta- gram followers and over 37,000 @ Northwestern 10/07 12:00 p.m. ET Twitter followers, while Barkley has over 69,00 Instagram followers and over 38,000 Twitter fol- Collegian file photo lowers. Marcus Allen (2) shakes hands with Saquon Barkley (26) after winning VS. Michigan 10/21 TBA When Allen traveled to Chica- go for Big Ten Media Days with the game against Maryland at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016. linebacker Jason Cabinda and All of this contributes to the people hype, that rubs off on @ Ohio State 10/28 3:30 p.m. ET tight end Mike Gesicki, Gesicki energy Allen displays both on people and that’s contagious.” joked it was rather exhausting and off the field. Coach James Allen said he doesn’t really do spending that much time with Franklin said that is one Allen’s anything differently to bring @ Michigan State 11/04 TBA Allen. best traits. energy to the team. He just tries “I’ve been with Marcus the “The guy always has a smile to be himself and he doesn’t past 30 hours since we left State on his face,” Franklin said at really mind what other people College, and he has probably Media Days. “He has fun while think of it. VS. Rutgers 11/11 12:00 p.m. ET posted 50 Snapchats,” Gesicki he’s working hard. He’s a guy in “That’s me, that’s my person- said. “Marcus is funny.” the weight room that’s dancing, ality,” Allen said. “I’ve been like Allen’s outgoing personality that’s laughing, but working this since kindergarten. I know @ Rutgers 11/18 TBA defines him as much as his play hard while he’s doing it.” guys who say ‘he may be imma- does, which is pretty outstand- In some of the videos of Bark- ture,’ but that’s my personality.” ing in its own right. Allen led ley power-cleaning 405 pounds His coach sees a player who @ Maryland 11/25 TBA the team in tackles last year earlier this summer, Allen seem can turn his intensity on and off and was named to four pre- more excited than Barkley was when he needs to. season watch lists, including the as he jumped all around the “When he steps on the foot- Chuck Bednarik award, given to running back and was the first ball field, he is as tough and as social media from setting off any ing as he is on Twitter. the nation’s top defensive player. mob Barkley once he dropped physical and as nasty as any- red flags. As for the player who Allen Allen said his extreme pres- the barbell. Allen sees that as body,” Franklin said. “But when “I don’t say anything crazy on thinks fans should give a follow ence on social media is just his part of his role on the team as he steps off the field, he’s a per- social media,” Allen said. “I to the most, the answer may be way of living life and having fun. an “Energizer Bunny” charac- fect gentleman. To me, that’s don’t think having fun is illegal. surprising. He said that since Gesicki ter. what Penn State is all about.” I think it’s just being obnoxious “Josh McPherson,” Allen said. doesn’t really use social media “My role on the team is to get Allen acknowledges there is and ignorant when it crosses “He’s hilarious. He’s definitely that much, especially in com- everybody better, as best I can,” time to focus on business and the line.” one of the funniest guys on our parison to Allen, it’s easy to Allen said “Because when a there is a time to joke around However, he said he isn’t the team.” make Gesicki laugh by putting a teammate lacks energy and you and be himself, but he knows he only social media whiz on the picture of him on Allen’s snap- have that Energizer Bunny run- has to keep his social media team as there are other players To email reporter: [email protected]. chat. ning around, yelling, getting from getting crazy. He keeps his he thinks are just as entertain- Follow him/ on Twitter at @JR_HIRSHey. MY VIEW | ANDREW RUBIN Penn State’s Coaches Things Poll ranking is fair By Andrew Rubin they are probably the biggest out and play the Gators and THE DAILY COLLEGIAN wildcard of the bunch, and the show that this group of players, one that I think is ranked too not the 2016 squad that has 18 A group of 65 college football high. They have a ton of talent of its best players on NFL ros- to watch head coaches, including James by virtue of signing some top-10 ters, show that they are worthy Franklin, put Penn State at No. recruiting classes the last few of a top-10 ranking. Football is beginning, camp ny Lions are finally out of it. 6 in their pre- years, but the Wolverines lost 18 started this week and prepara- Second-year offensive line I mean, even the Gators’ season poll on starters. tion for the most anticipated coach Matt Limegrover has FOOTBALL backup running back, Mark Aug. 3. How an inexperienced team Penn State sea- aided in speeding up the turn- Thompson, had some strong A sensible son since the around. reacts this season is anyone’s words for the Wolverines on FOOTBALL 1990s is ramping With starters Andrew Nelson spot, in the grey area between guess, but if any of the four Twitter before the poll even into high gear. and Brendan Mahon, who both very good and elite. That’s teams were to plummet, I’d say came out. Like any college football suffered season- ending injuries exactly how I’d describe the Jim Harbaugh’s squad is the “The disrespect is crazy . I team, the Nittany Lions will in 2016, ready for the start of Nittany Lions right now, and most likely. can’t wait till we beat the brakes have position battles, breakout camp, according to coach it’ll depend on internal devel- I’ve always been in the school off Michigan,” Thompson tweet- players and new wrinkles to look James Franklin, Penn State is opment to determine where of thought that inexperienced ed as it has continuously been for when the season finally kicks going to have real depth on the their ceiling is after the regu- teams need to prove themselves stated all summer that Michi- off in early September. offensive line for the first time lar season kicks off. before they are put in the top- gan is the favorite in the match- The questions may not be as in years. A year ago, talented Joining them in the top-10 10. They shouldn’t be put there up. are fellow Big Ten teams No. 2 based on potential. burning as last year, but freshmen Ryan Bates and For the most part, I agree Ohio State, No. 9 Michigan and After all, the preseason rank- here are some things Connor McGovern with Thompson, the Wolverines to watch out for No. 10 Wisconsin, who is the ings are sup- posed to grew throughout have a ton of respect they still over the next the season and most likely opponent waiting be just that: a need to earn. If they go out and month. should be effec- for the winner of the Big Ten ranking of tive options this East in the Big Ten Champion- the teams beat up Florida in Dallas, then A sense of year. ship game. as they they will earn everyone’s With The Buckeyes and the Wol- stand respect. normalcy Penn State losing verines are the two teams who To read full stoy, It’s refreshing that for the only center Brian Gaia have best chance of preventing visit collegian.psu.edu. first time since 2011, the Nittany from last year’s group of regu- the Nittany Lions from return- Lions won’t be defined in one lar starters on the offensive ing to the conference title way or another by how they dealt line, this should be a position game in Indianapolis. with sanctions. It’s Penn State’s that takes a big step forward, Before diving into this col- second year back at 85 scholar- which will be a major plus for umn on a preseason poll, rec- ships, and it finally has a normal- the team’s explosive offense. ognize this: preseason polls looking roster distribution.

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