#9-PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS

Bill O’Brien was a miracle worker in 2012, leading a depleted roster to 8 wins following a stormy 12 months. The lack of depth figures to have a larger impact this season as the Nittany Lions begin to fade away from relevancy in the Big 10.

Elite freshman recruit Christian Hackenberg takes over at quarterback and does have plenty of weapons at his disposal. Jesse James and Matt Lehman lead an excellent tight end grouping and WR Allen Robinson returns for his junior season.

The defense is going to have to create turnovers if Penn State is to replicate their special season last year. Senior linebacker Glenn Carson is the heart of a unit that can not afford any injuries. Defensive coordinator John Butler will need to blitz more this fall to create some pressure on the quarterback which was lacking all of last year.

The Nittany Lions have an extremely weak non-conference schedule, playing 4 winnable games, 3 of which are at home and the other (Syracuse) being at a neutral site. The Big Ten schedule will provide plenty of tests however, opening up at Indiana, vs Michigan and at Ohio State. Penn State does not play Iowa, Michigan State or Northwestern this season.

PREDICTION: 4-0 non-conference, 3-5 conference, 7-5 overall.