The Saquon show makes Penn State the team to root for in Big Ten

Ohio State and Michigan might grab the headlines, but there's a different team to throw your support behind this season in the Big Ten: Pennsylvania State University.

In their impressive 2016 campaign, the Nittany Lions reeled off nine straight wins to end the regular season and defeated Wisconsin in the Big Ten title game.

With a number of top players returning, expect another strong performance from Penn State in 2017. If those prospects weren't enough, the following reasons should convince you the Nittany Lions are the team to cheer for in the Big Ten.

Entertaining coach?

One of the best

(Photo courtesy: Action Images)

James Franklin knew rebuilding the Penn State program was a big job when he took over in 2014, but after two 7-6 campaigns, the 11-3 record last season shows he's well ahead of schedule. Perhaps Franklin's best move was hiring ex-Fordham head coach Joe Moorhead as his offensive coordinator prior to the 2016 season. The creative thinker transformed the offense into a top-20 outfit, putting up 37 points per game. Not just productive on the field, Franklin has crushed it in the recruiting game, ensuring Penn State stays competitive for years to come. He's also become an entertaining Twitter personality thanks to his obsessive focus on upcoming opponents.

Crazy home crowd?

Absolutely wild

If you consider 106,000 people clad in white screaming at the top of their lungs to be an intimidating atmosphere, then yes, Penn State does have a crazy home crowd.

Beaver Stadium has become known for its whiteouts, and with the team rolling again, the crowd is back to being among the best in the country. Urban Meyer called it one of the top five atmospheres in college football, and that's coming from a man who's coached at both Florida and Ohio State.

Chance to win conference?

Back to back

Penn State's 2016 championship was somewhat of a surprise, but they won't sneak up on anybody in 2017. Thanks to their dramatic win over Ohio State and Michigan's shocking loss to Iowa, the Nittany Lions held the tiebreaker in the division last season. That enabled them to advance to the championship game and beat Wisconsin for Big Ten glory. The two toughest games on the schedule will once again be the matchups with Michigan and Ohio State. The Wolverines pounded Penn State in Ann Arbor last season, but that contest is at Beaver Stadium in October's go-round. The Nittany Lions then travel to Ohio State the very next week in an incredibly difficult back-to-back. They might need a little help, but there's no reason Penn State can't win a second straight conference crown.

Star player that's fun to watch?

Heisman worthy

The No. 1 reason to watch Penn State this season is Saquon Barkley. The star running back is as entertaining as any player in the country, as evidenced by his absurd touchdown against USC in the Rose Bowl last season. The 5-foot-11, 223-pound dynamo finished with 1,496 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns, and added 402 yards in the air with four scores. Barkley enters the 2017 campaign as one of the favorites to win the Heisman, and will be the focal point of Moorhead's offense. Don't be shocked if he's one of the first names called at the 2018 NFL Draft either.