No. 10/9 Penn State opens its 2018 season at home in Beaver Stadium, welcoming Appalachian State for the first time. The telecast begins at 3:30 p.m. on BTN.
The Nittany Lions are coming off their second-straight 11-win season, which concluded with a Fiesta Bowl victory, and seek to extend a 14-game home winning streak. Two close loses on the road by a combined total of four points were the only blemishes last season.
Preseason All-American and Heisman hopeful Trace McSorley returns for his third season as the starting signal caller and will join seven other returning starters on offense. An experienced offensive line is poised to be a cornerstone of the unit, which has been among the most prolific in the nation the past two seasons. The Lions only lost four offensive starters, but it was a very productive quartet that will now suit up on Sundays in the NFL. However, running back Miles Sanders, wide receivers Juwan Johnson and DeAndre Thompkins and others are hungry to fill the production void.
The Penn State defense will look different up the middle with last season's starters at the defensive tackle, mike linebacker and safety positions all moving on to NFL training camps. The edges boast the most experience with the return of All-Big Ten corner Amani Oruwariye and redshirt junior John Reid, who missed the 2017 season due to injury. Defensive end Shareef Miller is a preseason watch list staple who will look to anchor the defensive line.
Appalachian State enters 2018 with high expectations, receiving votes in the Amway Coaches Top 25 preseason poll. In three FBS seasons, the Mountaineers have reached bowls in each and have claimed the Sun Belt Conference Championship in the past two. App State has already solidified its place in Big Ten history. In 2007, it spoiled No. 5 Michigan's season opener, becoming the second FCS team to defeat a ranked FBS team.