12. Penn State Nittany Lions

2023 record: 10-3, 7-2 Big Ten

Expected key losses: CB Kalen King, CB Johnny Dixon, OT Olu Fashanu, DE Chop Robinson, DE Adisa Isaac, OT Caedan Wallace, LB Curtis Jacobs, TE Theo Johnson, C Hunter Nourzad

Expected key additions: WR Julian Fleming, RB Quinton Martin, G Donovan Harbour, QB Ethan Grunkemeyer, OT Cooper Cousins, G Liam Andrews, K Chase Meyer

2024 outlook: It seemed the Nittany Lions missed a chance in 2023 to challenge Michigan and Ohio State in the Big Ten East with one of the better defenses in the FBS. But Penn State's passing game wasn't good enough -- it ranked 80th in the FBS with 215 passing yards per contest. Coach James Franklin brought in former Kansas offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki to jump-start his attack. There are some nice pieces coming back in quarterback Drew Allar, running backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen and tight end Tyler Warren. Both starting offensive tackles will have to be replaced, and the receiver room needs a serious upgrade. Defensive coordinator Manny Diaz left to become Duke's head coach and was replaced with former Indiana coach Tom Allen. The Nittany Lions will miss their two departing lockdown cornerbacks, but there's enough talent returning for Allen to be successful in his first season.

It’s time for everybody including me to get your azz off your shoulders and let’s figure out how we get this team in the top 12 and make the playoffs. ESPN has us 12th which I think is about right considering how we are at the QB position. IMO there has to be a QB competition in the spring and ain’t no position safe all positions are up for grabs and let the best man play. We got a NC contending team if we can fix the QB position. This season will be very interesting with the new playoff system. It just got harder though. Now Georgia, Alabama and a few more SEC teams have to be beat not just one like this year. Looking forward to the spring game. Well maybe our RB position is safe because we have 2 big time studs!