Penn State at a Glance

Coach: Joe Paterno (44th season, 383-127-3)

Last year: 11-2 overall, 7-1 Big Ten Conference (co-champion with Ohio State), No. 8 final national ranking, Rose Bowl loss to Southern California

On the Web: GoPSUSports.com

Ticket info: Another season opener, another sellout of 107,000 plus in Beaver Stadium.

Worth watching: Sean Lee was everybody's preseason All-America at linebacker last season until he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in an April 2008 practice. The fifth-year senior is back and is a team captain along with quarterback Daryll Clark. But the All-America notices are now going to the other outside 'backer, redshirt junior Navorro Bowman. Is Lee back to 100 percent and ready to again dominate?

Great unknown: Kevin Kelly wasn't exactly automatic, but the 4-year starting kicker was good on 20 of 24 field goals in 2008, and several of those three-point consolation prizes were instrumental in Penn State victories. Collin Wagner, who has just one career field-goal attempt (it was good), beat out more inconsistent freshman Anthony Fera, who has longer range.

It all comes down to: Quarterback Daryll Clark might or might not be the best player at his position in the Big Ten, but he unquestionably is the most valuable. He accounted for 2,874 yards and 29 touchdowns last season; backups Kevin Newsome and Matt McGloin totaled zero in both departments. Then again, neither has ever taken a varsity snap.

Circle the date: Ohio State visits Beaver Stadium on Nov. 7 with the Big Ten title likely hanging in the balance. What, you thought it would be the Oct. 10 showdown with Eastern Illinois?

Number crunching: The Nits have finished in the top five nationally in both scoring defense and total defense the past five seasons. If they can approach last year's averages (14.4 points per game, 280 yards per game), it would go a long way toward keeping things under control until the revamped wide receiver corps and offensive line hit their stride.