Penn State Football: Why Silas Redd Is Key to Nittany Lions Success in 2012

Penn State needs Silas Redd to be the go-to guy this season. Fortunately for the Nittany Lions, Redd is more than capable and prepared to fill that role.

Redd enters his junior season already a seasoned starter, after rushing for 1,241 yards and seven touchdowns last fall. Redd took over the primary rushing duties as a sophomore following the graduation of Evan Royster, Penn State's all-time leading rusher. Royster's career high in a season was 1,236 yards, which he rushed for in 2008 before declining in season rushing totals the following two seasons despite increased opportunities.

If he stays healthy, Redd could rewrite the school's record books one more time by the end of the 2013 season. Everybody seems to be expecting Redd to have another fine season as well. And why would he not?

Redd finished fourth in the Big Ten in rushing behind Wisconsin's Montee Ball, who made a push for 2,000 yards, Iowa's Marcus Coker, and Nebraska's Rex Burkhead. Redd, though overshadowed by Ball and Burkhead, always seems to be in the conversation when discussing top running backs in the Big Ten.

Now a junior, it is time he starts becoming more of a household name. It may be a lot of pressure knowing that so many people have lofty expectations of you, but Redd's steady, calm and relaxed mindset will allow him to work through it.

With a new offensive system ready to roll out at Penn State under Bill O'Brien, the one thing that appears to be consistent will be the role Redd plays on the team. O'Brien is ready to feed his tailback the football and let him run with it, quite literally of course. O'Brien has already confirmed that Redd will be the starting running back and that he will be a key to the offense. If Penn State struggles in the passing game, Redd will be looked to as a guy who will keep things moving forward. 

Big Ten programs know how important it can be to have a top-tier running back. This is, after all, the conference that has seen guys like Eddie George and Ron Dayne win the Heisman Trophy, and has seen others such as Montee Ball and Penn State's own Larry Johnson be considered a finalist. Running backs are what makes Big Ten offenses successful.

But no matter how talented a running back may be, the production and results on the field will be controlled by the stability of the offensive line. That places the focus on the work done by one of the weak spots on Penn State's recent teams and should be one of the top priorities for new offensive line coach Mac McWhorter.

A realistic expectation for Redd may be 1,200 yards rushing and ten touchdowns. If Redd does that, Penn State should be in pretty good shape this season.

Kevin McGuire is the host of the No 2-Minute Warning podcast, managing editor of Nittany Lions Den and a member of the Football Writers Association of America and National Football Foundation. Follow him on Twitter, like him on Facebook and add him to your Google+ circle.