2008 OUTLOOK: Penn State has to answer the question at quarterback, first and foremost. The competition is between junior Daryll Clark and sophomore Pat Devlin, and who emerges will go a long way in determining Penn State's season. And the road will play a large role in the Nittany Lions' success. They play at Ohio State and Wisconsin in 2008.

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE
The top six offensive linemen return, as do the top three wide receivers, the top two tight ends and the second-leading rusher. Two-year starting quarterback Anthony Morelli does not return, however, setting the stage for what was the most followed position battle of the spring and should be the biggest question mark this fall. Redshirt junior Daryll Clark, who has thrown just 31 career passes, will try to hold off talented redshirt sophomore Pat Devlin. The Nittany Lions have talked about switching to a spread offense, similar to the Michael Robinson-led unit of 2005, but should also be able to execute the power running game that coach Joe Paterno prefers with tailback Evan Royster and speedy newcomer Stephfon Green and a versatile offensive line led by veteran center A.Q. Shipley. The veterans around them will give either Clark or Devlin some time to develop, but Penn State must score more points against the likes of Ohio State and Wisconsin that it did under Morelli.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE
The strength of Linebacker U might have been the defensive line even before Penn State lost linebacker Sean Lee to a season-ending injury. With Lee gone, the pressure is increased on the big bodies up front, but there are plenty of bodies to handle it. Junior Maurice Evans, who had 12.5 sacks last season, and senior Josh Gaines give Penn State a great pair of starting ends, and sophomore Aaron Maybin and redshirt freshmen Eric Latimore and Kevion Latham provide depth. There is even more depth at tackle, where Ollie Ogbu, Abe Koroma, Jared Odrick, Devon Still and Tom McEowen (and possibly suspended tackles Chris Baker and Phil Taylor) return. Baker was given two years probation after pleading guilty to misdemeanor simple assault and criminal trespass for an off-campus fight in April.

Senior Tyrell Sales and sophomore Bani Gbadyu should pace a talented but untested linebacking corps, and Penn State's veteran secondary (the nickel package includes four seniors and a junior) is solid if not terrifically athletic. If the line can stay healthy and productive, the defense could have another outstanding season.

SCOUTING THE SPECIAL TEAMS
Jeremy Boone led the Big Ten in punting as a walk-on last season. He will try to do so again this fall as a scholarship player. Senior kicker Kevin Kelly, in his fourth year as the starter, has been nearly automatic inside of 40 yards but far too inconsistent from beyond. Kickoff returner A.J. Wallace and punt returner Derrick Williams each had a touchdown return of at least 78 yards last season, and Stephfon Green could be used on kickoffs as well. Penn State must improve its kickoff return coverage (116th in the nation in 2007).

ROSTER REPORT

--CB Tony Davis is back at his original position after spending 2007 as the starting safety. He'll be replaced at safety by Mark Rubin, who started the final five games for an injured Davis last season.

--DT Jared Odrick (broken ankle), DT Devon Still (ACL tear) and DE Jerome Hayes (ACL tear) are all coming off of serious 2007 injuries. Odrick and Still participated in spring drills in a limited capacity. The Nittany Lions hope to have Hayes available for preseason practice. Linebacker Sean Lee tore the ACL in his right knee during a spring practice and will redshirt the 2008 season.

--Penn State was planning on moving Lee from strong-side linebacker to middle linebacker, but his injury means junior Josh Hull, a walk-on, will move from the outside to the middle.

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