Big 12 coach warns Penn State QB Rocco Becht about life in Big Ten
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One of the main concerns people have with Penn State is whether their Big 12-heavy roster will be able to hold up against better talent. Matt Campbell brought 24 Iowa State transfers with him to Happy Valley as he tries to help his new team get back on the right path.
The player who will likely determine whether the season is a success or a failure is quarterback Rocco Becht. He spent four years with the Cyclones and became one of the most decorated passers in the school’s history, throwing for 9,274 total yards and 64 touchdowns. Campbell clearly believes in him, but some coaches out there still have their reservations.
An anonymous Big 12 defensive coordinator recently said that Becht will “be so protected in what [the Nittany Lions] do. I don’t think they’re going to be very explosive on offense.” Not only does Penn State have Becht starting at quarterback, but they also have multiple receivers from Iowa State, a tight end, and a running back who is in the mix for carries.
The coordinator believes all these formerly out-of-conference players will be a hindrance to Penn State, saying, “Physically, the Big Ten’s a little different animal.” He’s right, there is much better talent in the Big Ten and far bigger and more athletic players, but that doesn’t always make them better players.
Just last season we saw quarterback Fernando Mendoza transfer from the ACC to Indiana, and we know how the rest of that story goes. Obviously, Becht and the Nittany Lions recreating that story would be a long shot, but we have tangible evidence that having experience in the Big Ten isn’t a necessity to winning.
Becht has looked good in training camp and will do everything he can to prove that he belongs. He’ll have a chance to do so in less than a month when Penn State opens up their season against Marshall on Sept. 5.
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This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Big 12 coach warns Penn State QB Rocco Becht about life in Big Ten
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