For the first time during the Joe Paterno era in Happy Valley, Penn State has suffered back-to-back losing seasons.

However, with close inspection, you'll see that last year's squad successfully righted the ship after a dismal 0-4 start, winning five of its final seven games, including satisfying victories over Ohio State and Michigan State.

	Fourteen starters plus the kicker and punter return for Penn State coach Joe Paterno.

There is reason to believe the Nittany Lions can build on that momentum. First, they have a true legend on the sidelines in Paterno, who will go down as one of the five greatest collegiate coaches of all time. In addition, 14 starters (seven on offense and seven on defense) plus the kicker and punter are back in the fold. I'm told there's also a sense of urgency on the squad, so expect a supremely determined four quarters of high energy from start to finish this season.

The key question is whether Paterno has assembled enough star-level talent to compete for the Big Ten championship this season. While that's debatable, I'm not sure it's that essential in what shapes up as a wide-open race in the Big Ten, which lacks a single dominant team.

OFFENSE
On offense, Paterno found the right QB in multidimensional sophomore Zack Mills. Consider the dramatic improvement of the offense once Mills seized control last season. The Nittany Lions averaged 7.7 points per game during their 0-4 start. In the final seven weeks, they averaged 31 points per game. And this was accomplished without the benefit of a competent running game. In fact, Wisconsin's Anthony Davis (1,466 yards) singlehandedly outgained the entire Penn State ground game (1,317 yards) in 2001.

There are several reasons why significant improvement is being anticipated. First, Mills' versatility shouldn't allow for defenses to crowd the box. Plus, hard-charging senior RB Larry Johnson (6-1, 220) appears primed for a big finish to his collegiate career, after rushing for just 337 yards last year. Another key factor: an expected better performance from the offensive line.

In 2001, the Nittany Lions finished 10th in the Big Ten in rushing. But the Johnson-led overland attack figures to resemble a more traditional Penn State ground game, evident in years past with the likes of D.J. Dozier, Blair Thomas, Ki-Jana Carter and Curtis Enis. These backs would usually finish with about 25 carries per game. The concern, however, is a lack of proven depth behind Johnson. So if an injury occurs, the rushing game could come to a screeching halt. Junior FB Sean McHugh (6-5, 265) will assist Johnson. A converted tight end, McHugh had eight receptions in the spring game.

Mills has a number of options at wide receiver, highlighted by physically talented senior Bryant Johnson and steadily improving junior Tony Johnson, who made strides in the second half of last season. Sophomore Gerald Smith opens as the No. 3 wideout, but keep an eye on talented redshirt freshman Kinta Palmer (6-4, 185), who has a potentially bright future.

With R.J. Luke transferring to Western Illinois and McHugh shifting from tight end to fullback, look for junior Casey Williams (5-11, 237) to open as the starter at tight end. Williams lacks ideal size, but not highly regarded redshirt freshmen Andrew Richardson (6-6, 260) and Isaac Smolko (6-5, 261). Overall, tight end is an unproven position going into the season.

There's good news on the offensive line, where veteran OT Gus Felder is now eligible for a fifth season after graduating this month. So the Nittany Lions have three OTs -- Felder, senior Matt Schmitt and junior Damone Jones -- who are basically interchangeable.

With veteran center Joe Iorio, Paterno has four seniors on a move-'em-out gang that could be the best it's been in recent years.

DEFENSE
In 2001, the Nittany Lions were last in the Big Ten in rushing defense (206 yards allowed per game) and ninth in the Big Ten in pass defense. But this year the D figures to be dramatically upgraded. The D returns seven starters and will be keyed by a senior-laden front four.

Leading the charge will be underrated senior DT Anthony Adams, a true difference-maker up front, and veteran DT Jimmy Kennedy (6-4½, 335), a potential first-round draft choice if he performs up to the level of his physical ability. DE Michael Haynes also has a chance to secure an early-round draft grade, with quick, athletic sophomore DE John Bronson (6-3, 265) the only underclassman among the front four.

The linebacking situation might look questionable on paper, with junior MLB Sam Ruhe (6-5, 265) shifting from defensive end and sophomore OLB Derek Wake returning from a knee injury that sidelined him early last year. But Ruhe looks like the answer in the middle, while Wake is back at full strength and ready to make his mark as one of the Big Ten's best outside linebackers. Productive senior FS Shawn Mayer figures to operate at a high level as well.

If the star-studded defensive line wreaks havoc as expected, Penn State's defense could improve significantly in turnovers created. Last year, the D wasn't able to shift momentum and alter field position with game-changing plays.

When opposing QBs look to attack through the air waves, the Nittany Lions should be able to get a major push up the gut with Kennedy and Adams, while Haynes and Bronson provide the outside pass rush. This will make life easier for talented senior CB Bryan Scott.

The big question on defense surrounds the "hero" position. Junior Yaacov Yisrael, who was competing for the job and was the team's fourth-leading tackler last year, suffered a knee injury in practice and is lost for the season. That means that redshirt freshman Paul Cronin and sophomore Andrew Guman are battling for the starting job.

OVERVIEW
Now that Penn State has stability and talent at QB with Mills, the offense has a chance to build on the momentum from the final seven games of last season when it averaged 31 points per game. The key is Johnson at RB, running behind a veteran offensive line that benefits from the fifth season being provided to Felder at OT. The potential exists for Johnson to surpass 1,000 yards on the ground, since he figures to carry the ball 20-plus times per game. With depth a problem at RB, Johnson must remain at full strength the entire way. The emergence of McHugh at FB is a real plus, giving Mills another key outlet in the passing game as well. The problem area could be TE. Williams lacks ideal size, while Richardson and Smolko are physically gifted but unproven.

Defensively, the Nittany Lions should field the most imposing front four in the Big Ten, while Ruhe figures to solidify things at the mike-man spot. Wake's healthy return is anticipated at OLB, with juniors Deryck Toles and Gino Capone and sophomore LaMar Stewart all seeing action at the other OLB spot. In the secondary, CB Scott and FS Mayer provide veteran leadership. But a key will be who settles in at the "hero" position (similar to a rover) as well as the performance of junior Richard Gardner at the other CB.

The Big Ten is wide open, with as many as seven or eight teams feeling they have a legitimate shot at the conference championship. The key for the Nittany Lions is a strong start out of the gate. While the first four games against UCF, Nebraska, Louisiana Tech and Iowa all present challenges, each game will be played at Beaver Stadium in Happy Valley. October finds the Nittany Lions enduring tough road trips to Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio State. You can see why the first four games are so pivotal, even though three are out of conference.