2007 record: 9-4, 4-4 (5th-tie in Big Ten)
2007 bowl: Beat Texas A&M 24-17 in Alamo
2007 final AP/coaches' ranking: Unranked/25
Coach: Joe Paterno (363-181-3, 41 years)
Offensive coordinator: Galen Hall (4th year)
Defensive coordinator: Tom Bradley (9th year)
Returning offensive starters: 9
Returning defensive starters: 9
Location: State College, Pa.
Stadium: Beaver Stadium (grass, 107,282)
Last league title: 2005 (tie)
2007 schedule: [view]
2006 statistics: [view]

Offensive: Who’s the quarterback? Good question. At least Penn State has options. Junior Daryll Clark was Anthony Morelli’s backup last season. Sophomore Pat Devlin, a Pennsylvania high-school legend who originally committed to Miami, looks like the real future. The Nittany Lions also need a reliable tailback, but they are stocked with terrific receivers, including senior stars Derrick Williams and Deon Butler. Four starters return on the offensive line, including center A.Q. Shipley and left guard Rich Ohrnberger in their third seasons as regulars.

Defensive: Penn State received awful news during spring football when middle linebacker Sean Lee, the Big Ten’s second-leading tackler, suffered a torn ACL in his right knee, ending his season. It tore the heart out of a very good Penn State defense, but there still are talented players at most positions. The strength is up front — with an eight-man rotation on the defensive line, including junior end Maurice Evans (12.5 sacks). Senior Tyrell Sales probably will assume the linebacker leadership. Three starters return in the secondary. Is that a good thing? Penn State had its late-season struggles against the pass, but senior free safety Anthony Scirrotto, a three-year starter, lends stability.

Specialists: The Nittany Lions return a pair of dependable seniors — place-kicker Kevin Kelly and punter Jeremy Boone. A.J. Wallace and Williams were two of the Big Ten’s better return men.

Coaching: No one knows for sure about the long-term future of 81-year-old Joe Paterno — least of all, Joe Paterno. He hasn’t been given a contract extension, which may mean nothing (or everything). But he has the Nittany Lions back in Big Ten contention (after a few down seasons as the new millennium began). He has 372 career victories, creeping within one of Bobby Bowden’s all-time record in Division I-A. Bet on this: The Old Lion won’t go quietly.

Game of the year Sept. 27 vs. Illinois The winner here should emerge as Ohio State’s most serious challenger in the Big Ten.

Heisman hopefuls: Williams is a fabulous talent, but it’s doubtful he could get enough touches to register on the Heisman meter.

Overview: Penn State’s offense must display more consistency, perhaps a tall order while breaking in new players at the skill positions. But the Nittany Lions are powerful on both lines, and that should ensure holding things close until the learning curve is mastered. Getting back to a January bowl would be a positive step for Penn State. And if Paterno reclaims the all-time victory record — not unheard-of, given Florida State’s recent proclivity for struggles – the season would have an additional element of accomplishment.

MORE FROM COLLEGE FOOTBALL

College football Section Front

Lawyer: Fulmer got subpoena, Vols coach denies it LSU's Miles backtracks after crack about 'Bama Oklahoma tries to shake bowl meltdowns Rutgers reportedly made secret deal with Schiano Ex-Penn State player pleads guilty to knife threat Walters: Mountai-nears want more than Big East repeat New Bowden team favored to win ACC Edwards overcomes flying fears to pilot App State Extra Points: October's optimum slate Rivals.com notebook: Prospects show skills at camps College football Section Front   Add College football headlines to your news reader: