Penn State football's College Football Playoff drive will be tested tough immediately.
The Nittany Lions and their supposedly revamped offense must overcome a Top 25-caliber West Virginia team on the road in the Aug. 31 season-opener.
The Lions do have significant work to accomplish leading to that introduction and through the first month of the season. They must replace foundational pieces of their offense and defense − both starting edge rushers and both offensive tackles. They must develop a downfield pass game.
Ultimately, they need to prove they can defeat a top-ranked opponent.
Here are four storylines to watch heading into preseason camp:
Offensive improvement starts here: Penn State football's new blockers
For all of Penn State's offensive resurgence ingredients − a new coordinator, an experienced quarterback, improved receivers − a strong foundation is still required.
That means the blocking along the line must be superb again.
And that entails adequately replacing three key starters from 2023. They lost tackles Olu Fashanu and Caedan Wallace and center Hunter Nourzad to the NFL Draft in April − the first time that's happened for three linemen since 1996.
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The two new anchor tackles will come from a group of juniors Drew Shelton and transfer Nolan Rucci and second-year standouts Anthony Donkoh and J'ven Williams. At center, senior Nick Dawkins leads while super-promising true freshman Cooper Cousins learns.
This transition will take time, a luxury they do have, to a degree this season: Their toughest tests shouldn't come until mid-October.
Can Penn State receivers finally 'scare' opponents again?
No opponent had to worry much about Penn State's downfield pass game in 2023.
There was little threat of Drew Allar connecting with his receivers more than 20 yards from scrimmage, especially once KeAndre Lambert-Smith all but disappeared in the second half of the season.
No Penn State receiver truly scared an opponent, which allowed defenses to cheat and make life tougher around scrimmage.
The hope now is that Julian Fleming, the only trusted receiver addition in the offseason, and a healthy Tre Wallace can immediately elevate the pass game with their athleticism and consistency.
Beyond them, everything else depends on uncertain development. Can third-year Kaden Saunders, Liam Clifford and Omari Evans, for example, finally morph into dependable contributors?
They may have to. Or a true freshman will have to surprise, sooner than later.
Penn State defensive debate: How the men in the middle excel
Defensive tackle may be the most overlooked area of Penn State experience and expertise.
The Lions are deeper than ever here with sixth-year seniors Dvon J-Thomas and Hakeem Beamon, fifth-year Coziah Izzard and possibly the most talented of the group, junior Zane Durant.
But can they take the next step? They must be able to apply more consistent, play-making pressure in the backfield −not just hold their ground at scrimmage.
The entire defense becomes significantly more disruptive and dangerous if this group takes full advantage of its speed, strength and experience.
Can Penn State rise up at the right (biggest) moments in 2024?
The Nittany Lions are among the nation's best under James Franklin at beating the teams they should.
They're one of the most consistent, reliable performers in the Power Four.
But when the schedule calls for stepping up against an equal or more talented opponent?
Penn State has painfully shrunk in those moments most recently, evidenced by their three defeats last season and two the year before. That's kept them out of the playoffs.
This year's schedule does offer a potential reprieve in that regard. Penn State should be favored every week except for at home against Ohio State and, possibly, on the road at USC.
They still will own advantages in both games, though. Like how their upper-tier talent is now seasoned enough for bigger rewards. A half-dozen third-year players will vie for All-Big Ten honors or more − defensive ends Abdul Carter and Dani-Dennis Sutton, running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, quarterback Drew Allar and safety KJ Winston.
How they respond will color their entire season.
Frank Bodani covers Penn State football for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him atfbodani@ydr.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @YDRPennState.
