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College football 2018: Biggest X-factor on every Top 25 team

By Derek Grochowski

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Miles Sanders (24) of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs for a gain in the game between the Washington Huskies and the Penn State Nittany Lions on December 30, 2017 at the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, AZ. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Miles Sanders (24) of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs for a gain in the game between the Washington Huskies and the Penn State Nittany Lions on December 30, 2017 at the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, AZ. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – DECEMBER 30: Miles Sanders (24) of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs for gain in the Fiesta Bowl game between the Washington Huskies and the Penn State Nittany Lions on December 30, 2017 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, AZ. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – DECEMBER 30: Miles Sanders (24) of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs for gain in the Fiesta Bowl game between the Washington Huskies and the Penn State Nittany Lions on December 30, 2017 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, AZ. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

11. Miles Sanders, Penn State Nittany Lions

Penn State sits in one of College Football’s toughest divisions in one of the toughest conferences. Ohio State, Michigan and Michigan State all make the schedule a nightmare every year. James Franklin has done a remarkable job with the program.

Since joining the team in 2014 and two seven-win seasons he has gone back to back with two 11-win seasons. Their out of conference schedule is manageable so if they can make it through conference play clean or even just one loss this could be a playoff team. The defense is young and generally inexperienced but talented. If the offense can come out firing again it can cover any blemishes of the defense.

Trace McSorley back as the quarterback this year. Since becoming a regular starter in 2016 McSorley has taken big strides in his development. He has become more dangerous in the air and on the ground. But McSorley is not the x-factor for the Nittany Lions this year. Instead, it is the player responsible for replacing Saquon Barkley. As you can imagine Miles Sanders did not see a lot of action sitting behind Barkley but he has put in his time and is ready.

One of the things that made Penn State so hard to be last year was their balance on offense. Yes, Barkley was the star but opposing teams could not key on him too much because McSorley would burn them in the air. It will be important for Penn State to keep that balance. McSorley has grown a lot as a passer but he still is not seen as an elite quarterback.

Sanders will be a key to keep teams honest defensively. Sanders doesn’t need to be Barkley 2.0 but he needs to be close. As the season wears on and as the teams get better Sanders’ will be more and more important.