Team: Penn State

Nickname: Nittany Lions

Conference: Big Ten

Location: State College, Pa.

Coach: Joe Paterno (44th year, 383-127-3)

Last Bowl: 2009 Rose

Last season: 11-2, 7-1

Remember a few years ago when fans clamored for JoePa to retire? Well, that bandwagon is just about empty as the Nittany Lions are primed to make another run at a BCS game with its top rusher and passer returning. Holes on defense must be filled in time for Big Ten play, but a soft schedule will help.

The season is a success if ... The Nittany Lions win their second straight Big Ten title and go to a BCS game for the third time in five seasons. Penn State gets Ohio State at home on Nov. 7 and closes out at Michigan State on Nov. 21.

The season is a failure if ... The defense can't make up for big offseason losses. The unit gave up only 14.4 ppg last season, but eight of the top 12 tacklers depart, including its sack and INT leaders.

Impact Player: Junior Evan Royster, running back. He averaged 6.5 ypc in a big sophomore campaign, picking up 1,236 yards rushing and 12 TDs. He also added 17 catches for 155 yards.

Fun Fact: Paterno is one of four active coaches in the College Football Hall of Fame. The others are Bobby Bowden (Florida State), Chris Ault (Nevada) and John Gagliardi (St. John's, Minn.).