PSU offense: better, worse or about the same (as last year)? Why?

Ultimately we will have to sort of wait and see but I think there is reason to be optimistic the offense will be better in 2015. The biggest weakness was up front with the offensive line, which never allowed Christian Hackenberg to breathe and never allowed the running game to get going. With some young guys getting some experience and the addition of a pair of veteran transfers (Stanford graduate transfer Kevin Reihner and junior college transfer Paris Palmer), I think there is a chance the offensive line is noticeably improved. It may not be a top o-line, but it is most likely to be an improvement form last season. That will allow Hackenberg to improve his numbers and give running back Akeel Lynch a chance to do some good work on the ground.

PSU defense: better worse or about the same (as last year)? Why?

Penn State’s defense was one of the best in the country last season, and repeating that level of play is not going to be easy. I think right now it will be fair to say Penn State’s defense will be worse than last year, but it should still be a pretty good defensive unit. Anthony Zettel coming back will be very good on the line after a breakout 2014 season. The secondary only has one starting spot to fill, and safety Marcus Allen and corners Jordan Lucas and Trevor Williams have played well in the defensive backfield. They just need to come up with a few more turnovers in 2015. Linebackers should be solid, and Nyeem Wartman could be very fun to watch.

You buying or selling this team in 2015? (How many games they winning this year?)

If we are talking about whether or not Penn State is going to be a Big Ten contender, I have to sell. Not this year as the program still works to fill the depth (it’s better and getting better, but not 100 percent just yet) and not in the same division as both Ohio State and Michigan State. But 10 wins? I’ll take a flyer.

This team managed to win seven games last season (with the bowl victory), and I think it would be fair to set the over-under for this team at 8.5. Look at the schedule. Penn State should have a 6-0 record when they play their first game out of state in mid-October at Ohio State. From there, picking up three wins is certainly feasible. So right now I’ll put Penn State down for a nine-win season. Expect road losses at OSU and Michigan State, and we’ll see where Michigan and PSU are when they meet in State College in November.

Buying the direction of the program. Buying nine wins. But that’s probably my spending limit right now.

Kevin McGuire of No 2-Minute Warning provided the information for our Penn State Football 2015 Spring recap. For more Penn State football information, commentary and analysis, you can follow Kevin on Twitter @KevinOnCFB.