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First Posted: 8/31/2012 This will almost assuredly be the toughest game of the season to break down ahead of time. We just don't know exactly what to expect from Penn State from both an emotional standpoint and a strategic one. The former, at least, will only affect the game for so long. The latter is far harder to predict.
Everything from the new schemes on both sides of the ball to the new strength and conditioning program will change how Penn State performs on the field. As tough as it is for many to separate the football from the scandal in these past 10 months, it will be interesting to see how a live game plays out for the Lions, particularly after the crazy backdrop fades away after a few drives.
And unlike most Penn State openers, this one will actually be a reasonable judge of what to expect from the Lions. Ohio is easily the toughest Week 1 opponent since South Florida in 2005 -- and that was before the Bulls joined the Big East and grew into a program that moves in and out of the top 25. I don't think it's too much of an overstatement to say the Bobcats are the best opening foe since Miami in 2001. That's more of an indictment of the teams that have come into Beaver Stadium since then, but Ohio is a solid team, the favorite to win the MAC and better than the Temple squads that led the Lions in the second half in each of the last two years.
With a big, flashing disclaimer that Penn State is hard to handicap right now, let's take a look at the matchup. &amp;nbsp;
--derek
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<div style="text-align: center"> OHIO vs. PENN STATE&amp;nbsp;</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">QUARTERBACK</div>
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And we start off with a perfect example of what I was trying to get across. How are we to evaluate the Matt McGloin coached by Jay Paterno from the Matt McGloin coached by Bill O'Brien and Charlie Fisher? The resumes of the new coaches combined with an extra year of experience for McGloin could mean an entirely different player under center for the Lions. But its also a player who will have far greater responsibilities in running the offense. And there's no telling how smoothly things will run until after a quarter or two. Ohio quarterback Tyler Tettleton, meanwhile, is a known quantity. A 3,000-yard passer as a sophomore last season who also is an above-average runner, finishing second on the team in rushing yards. The son of former major-leaguer Mickey Tettleton, he poses the greatest threat to Penn State on Saturday, particularly as the new secondary gets broken in. EDGE: OU
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<div style="text-align: center">RUNNING BACK</div>
<img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm187/dlevarse/Penn_State-1.gif" alt="" width="125" height="94" align="right" />So begins the Bill Belton era at Penn State. Of course, it's a little easier for a running back to pick up this new scheme than the other skill positions, which explains in part why Bill O'Brien has been so upbeat about his backs despite the loss of Silas Redd. O'Brien named Belton his slam dunk starter right at the start of camp and said he's confident in using him in all situations. Though he was technically a receiver as a true freshman, most of Belton's touches came against Ohio State in November, running the ball out of the wildcat. The main concern of the coaches is his ball security, which was a serious issue in the spring but improved in fall camp. One imagines that several players will get a look in this first game, including fifth-year senior Derek Day, a former walk-on who has impressed O'Brien throughout the offseason. The Bobcats will also be breaking in a new starter in Beau Blankenship, who was the team's most productive backup a year ago.&amp;nbsp;EDGE: PSU 
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<div style="text-align: center;">RECEIVER</div>
<img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm187/dlevarse/Penn_State-1.gif" alt="" width="125" height="94" align="right" />Penn State has plenty of options and talent but is well short on experience. As has been well documented, Shawney Kersey is the leading returning receiver with five catches in 2011. Instead of breaking in the new guys around two seniors in Justin Brown and Devon Smith, the Lions need to figure out an entirely new group of starters. Allen Robinson has established himself in camp as the top target, and it doesn't sound as if there's any doubt about it. After that is anyone's guess. Kersey, true freshman Trevor Williams and holdovers Christian Kuntz and Brandon Moseby-Felder will line up outside while Alex Kenney and Evan Lewis see time in the slot. Decisions are still being finalized on other rookies like Eugene Lewis. This will also be our first good look at the increased role of the tight ends. Ohio, meanwhile, is also missing a massive talent in LaVon Brazill, who was drafted by the Colts. The Bobcats are also shuffling around personnel in their three-wide base offense. EDGE: PSU
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<div style="text-align: center">OFFENSIVE LINE</div>
<img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm187/dlevarse/Penn_State-1.gif" alt="" width="125" height="94" align="right" />Rather jarring to be putting together the depth chart for our preview section and see the Lions' projected starting line all above 300 pounds. Yes, four of the five starters this year are new, save for center Matt Stankiewitch, but this is a team-wide change that you can attribute to S&amp;amp;C boss Craig Fitzgerald. Penn State struggled greatly to develop most of its bigger linemen in the past, but the new training program coupled with Mac McWhorter taking over the entire unit could pay immediate dividends. That will be especially important as a pair of underclassmen in Donovan Smith and Miles Dieffenbach will be in charge of Matt McGloin's blind side. John Urschel has plenty of snaps at right guard and one can expect to see both Mike Farrell and Adam Gress in the game at right tackle. Eric Hermann is the leader of Ohio's line at right guard -- the top player in a group of juniors and seniors.&amp;nbsp; EDGE: PSU
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<div style="text-align: center;">DEFENSIVE LINE</div>
<img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm187/dlevarse/Penn_State-1.gif" alt="" width="125" height="94" align="right" />Outside of some minor health concerns, the Lions look as solid as ever up front. Replacing an All-American like Devon Still is never easy, but unit coach Larry Johnson never manages to miss a beat. This year, it's Jordan Hill's time to shine while DaQuan Jones steps into Still's spot. Pete Massaro's knee remains a bit of a concern, but redshirt freshman Deion Barnes is set to step in for as many plays as needed opposite Sean Stanley. With the Lions overhauling the secondary's personnel and coverage schemes, it will be even more imoprtant for Penn State to generate pressure up front. Tyler Tettleton will be the first of many quarterbacks who can take of on any play that the Lions will face this season. Any success in containing him should be a good sign for the future. Ohio's front four isn't as big and imposing as Penn State's, but all are seniors who could give Bill O'Brien pause when formulating his gameplan. EDGE: PSU &amp;nbsp;
<div style="text-align: center">LINEBACKER</div>
<img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm187/dlevarse/Penn_State-1.gif" alt="" width="125" height="94" align="right" />For all of the changes at Penn State, the Lions can once again depend on their linebackers to carry the day. Add a recovered Mike Mauti to a starting group with rising star Gerald Hodges and Glenn Carson, and the team is as comfortable here as anywhere else on the field. Mauti passed along an interesting tidbit this week, saying that Ted Roof will essentially be employing a "no-huddle defense." In the past, one player was generally responsible for getting the play from Tom Bradley on the sideline and relaying it to the rest of the defense. Instead, each player will get the call from Roof himself. The Lions expect to blitz more than in the past, but again, they must be wary of Tyler Tettleton making plays out of the pocket. Ohio has two returning starters at outside linebacker in Alphonso Lewis and Jelani Woseley. EDGE: PSU 
<div style="text-align: center"> SECONDARY</div>
<img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm187/dlevarse/Penn_State-1.gif" alt="" width="125" height="94" align="right" />A few week ago, the Bobcats would have been feeling pretty good about their situation here, led by senior cornerback Travis Carrie, arguably the team's top player on defense. But a season-ending shoulder injury in camp has caused some concern back in Athens. None of the other corners on the roster have a similar pedigree, and Ohio could be vulnerable in man-on-man situations as they rotate through three or four guys at the position. Things are a bit more stable at safety with Gerald Moore, the team's leading returning tackler. Penn State, of course, has depth issues of its own, and Ohio will surely test Stephon Morris, Adrian Amos, Malcolm Willis and whoever happens to line up at strong safety. Both Stephen Obeng-Agyapong and Jake Fagnano should see time. It wouldn't be shocking to see the Bobcats go four or five wide in an effort to get the Lions to dip into a raw group of reserves that features walk-ons and true freshmen.&amp;nbsp;EDGE: PSU
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<div style="text-align: center">SPECIAL TEAMS</div>
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That nagging concern is still there for the Lions, who have to move on without do-everything kicker Anthony Fera. Bill O'Brien has softened some of his concerns from the spring about other shorthanded units on the team, but this is still a pretty big question mark. Sam Ficken has a strong enough leg to be a quality kicker and Alex Butterworth has a handful of starts under his belt. But the real question is consistency. That's one thing O'Brien hasn't quite seen yet this summer, particularly in his punting game. The return game remains somewhat of a mystery, but sophomores Adrian Amos and Alex Kenney are both good bets to see the field there in some fashion. In what could be a close game, Ohio has the comfort of one of the country's better kickers in Matt Weller, who won MAC Special Teams Player of the Year in 2011. The Bobcats are also having their own issues finding a new punter. EDGE: OU 
<div style="text-align: center; ">OUTLOOK</div>
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Well, it's going to be an interesting afternoon, that's for sure. For a team that is guaranteed to finish its season in November, there is going to be a considerable number of eyeballs watching this game across the country, just to see how Penn State responds. It's understandable that Ohio, a virtual lock to head to a fourth straight bowl game, is receiving a lot of buzz as an upset pick this week. And I'd expect this one to be very much in doubt in the second half. This is where Penn State's revamped coaching staff could make the biggest difference -- making adjustments and putting the Lions' superior talent in the best position to win the game. I would not be stunned by an Ohio win here, but I think Penn State has too much invested in this one to let it slip away. EDGE: PSU
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PREDICTION: PENN&amp;nbsp;STATE 27, OHIO 21

NITTANY NOTES: Lions-Bobcats Breakdown