Penn State Football: 5 Nittany Lions Who Will Disappoint This Season

Penn State will grab nine wins in 2012 behind a solid rushing attack and savvy defense. The Nittany Lions will play to their strengths and win blue-collar battles.

The Nittany Lions also have some weaknesses, some of which are not yet apparent.

Penn State fans have certain expectations for certain players coming into the 2012 season.

Jordan Hill is supposed to command the middle of the Nittany Lion defensive line. Curtis Dukes is to provide depth behind Silas Redd. Adrian Amos ideally becomes a leader in Penn State's secondary. Justin Brown and Matt McGloin will both be expected to breathe some life into Penn State's passing attack.

All of these players have their expected roles, but they will not live up to those expectations. For one reason or another, these Nittany Lions will not shoulder the ideal load for Bill O'Brien this season.

Let's take a look at these players and how their season will play out.

Adrian Amos

Adrian Amos received time at corner last season when D'Anton Lynn went down with injury, but it looks like he will command Penn State's Hero position this season.

Granted, Amos' high school position was safety. He understands the positions and most of the nuances involved.

But this isn't high school football. This is the Big Ten.

Amos has the physical skills and versatility needed to excel at safety in the Big Ten, but it is going to take a year to adjust. Amos' position is not set in stone, and moving from spot to spot could confuse him further.

The Nittany Lions are hoping Amos' versatility brings an edge to Penn State's secondary. It is the least talented unit on an otherwise strong defense.

Penn State fans will be disappointed when Amos doesn't reach his full potential for another season.

Curtis Dukes

Curtis Dukes is supposed to provide depth in the Nittany Lion backfield behind Silas Redd this season.

Instead, Dukes will not be focused, get lost in Bill O'Brien's new offense and lose his backfield spot to either Bill Belton or freshman Akeel Lynch.

Dukes sat out spring practice to focus on academics. While he was out, Belton gained experience.

Belton's running style will fit perfectly in Penn State's offense. Dukes' north-south style would be a welcome addition, if he can keep his eyes on the field and focus in class.

Dukes is a talented back. If he can keep his head on straight he will enjoy a solid season behind Redd. But so far, that does not feel encouraging.

Dukes will not like being pushed for the No. 2 spot on Penn State's depth chart and will like it less when his reps decrease as the season moves along.

Jordan Hill

Jordan Hill enjoyed an above-average season in 2011 next to the Big Ten's most dominant defensive player, Devon Still.

Now, Hill must control the middle of the interior line by himself. That will not be easy, and Hill will struggle with his tall task.

Hill does not have a player of his caliber playing next to him, like Still did last season. Hill will play next to DaQuan Jones and James Terry next season.

Both are serviceable talents but not game-changers.

Hill will struggle to shed blocks without a legitimate presence complementing his explosiveness. Jones could emerge as a possible run-stuffer, but he will not be enough.

Penn State's run defense should be very good this season, but Hill's numbers will take a hit.

Justin Brown

Justin Brown is expected to fill Derek Moye's shoes this season.

Brown will struggle in his new No. 1 role, especially without a dangerous No. 2 drawing some attention. Devon Smith's legal issues could force Shawney Kersey, Brandon Moseby-Felder, Alex Kenney or Allen Robinson to play more snaps.

All of these guys are exciting, speedy targets. None are a proven, reliable No. 2 wide receiver.

That leaves Brown all by himself, with a questionable-at-best quarterback situation further damaging the situation.

Brown will not get a ton of accurate passes, will be the center of attention and will struggle because of it.

Penn State will need pass plays to stretch the field, blow the top off of the defense and open up the field for Silas Redd. Brown will be asked to provide all of those things.

Brown has shown flashes of superb athleticism, but his hands have failed him in the past.

Expect that, and everything else, to have Penn State fans wishing they had a new passing offense.

Matt McGloin

All signs point to Matt McGloin entering this season as Penn State's starting quarterback.

Don't expect McGloin to fail to live up to the fans' expectations. After one-and-a-half miserable campaigns under center, the Penn State fanbase does not have any expectations for the mediocre gunslinger.

But if McGloin is made the starter, obviously Bill O' Brien has certain expectations of Penn State's maligned signal-caller.

McGloin will be expected to make sound decisions, control the offense and keep the defense honest. He must orchestrate a passing offense dangerous enough to pull defenders out of the box, drop into coverage and allow Silas Redd to run wild.

McGloin will not live up to O'Brien's expectations and will confirm the fanbase's suspicions.

Quarterback is the most important position in any sport. McGloin's presence does not bode well for Penn State's BCS hopes next season.

O'Brien will want his other quarterbacks to stay loose this season.