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Prediction time for Nittany Lions

Penn State football is right around the corner, just days away. Most media members see the Lions going anywhere from 11-1 to 9-3 this season. Here is how a survey of selected media members see this season shaping up for the Nittany Lions. Michael Boytim, Altoona Mirror: 9-3. Comment: A record of 10-2 probably gets Penn State into the 12-team playoff, so expect James Franklin’s squad to finish just short of the playoff standard, as usual. Andrew Clay, WTAJ: 10-2. Comment: It’s probably the safe bet to pick a pair of Penn State losses, but truthfully the schedule is brutal. It’s ...

Franklin well aware of confident Mountaineers

Following are the highlights of James Franklin’s Monday press conference: Saturday’s game: at West Virginia (noon, Fox) Records: Both teams are 0-0. Odds: Penn State is an 8.5-point favorite. Rankings: Penn State is ranked No. 8 by the Associated Press. WVU is not ranked but drew 17 under-consideration votes. Hostile territory Franklin is wary of opening against a quality opponent on the road. He noted the Mountaineers won five of their last six games a year ago, including a blowout over North Carolina in the Mayo Bowl held in Charlotte. “Plus they should have won the ...

Warren will be Lions’ go-to target this season

By Neil Rudel nrudel@altoonamirror.com Drew Allar calls tight end Tyler Warren “Mr. Dependable.” So there’s no question of the Nittany Lions’ starter when the season opens next Saturday at West Virginia (noon, Fox). After a strong performance in the Peach Bowl, Warren came back ...

This fall will be known as season of change in college football

By Eric Olson and Ralph D. Russo The Associated Press Welcome to college football’s season of change. Three tumultuous years filled with conference realignment, playoff expansion and various reforms come to life in 2024. How much is new? Enough to rank the Top 25 changes you’ll see in college football this season. 1) The College Football Playoff expands from four to 12 teams. 2) The national championship game will be played Jan. 20, making this the longest season in college football history. The season starts Aug. 24 with four games involving major college teams, including ...

DBs look for fresh start come Aug. 31

By Andy Stine astine@altoonamirror.com UNIVERSITY PARK — The Penn State defensive backs were generally effective for most of last season. Cornerbacks Daequan Hardy and Kalen King were both drafted in the late rounds this past April. But the cornerbacks left a lot of questions going into the offseason after their Peach Bowl performance to end last season. Hardy played in the game, but King and another corner in Johnny Dixon both opted out of the game where Ole Miss torched the Lions for 394 passing yards. The good news for the Lions is the two starting safeties from last year ...

Number a sign of respect for DeLuca

UNIVERSITY PARK — Penn State linebacker Dominic DeLuca has become one of the feel-good stories over his years in the program. DeLuca came to PSU as a walk-on in January of 2021 and immediately appeared in three games on special teams while preserving his redshirt for the 2021 season. He appeared in every game the last two seasons, both on defense and as one of the leaders on special teams, and impressed enough to earn a scholarship at the end of the 2022 season. DeLuca was awarded the No. 0 jersey before last season, which is given to a special teams leader each year. Jonathan ...