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Coach: Joe Paterno 2006 W-L: 9-4

Joe Paterno will welcome a 16th grandchild into the world this fall.

The Penn State patriarch also hopes to finally deliver a win against Michigan, a Big Ten Conference championship, a bowl victory and a lofty national ranking.

But for all of that to happen, Paterno will have to find answers to the following five questions when practice begins tomorrow:

1) Will Austin Scott prove to be a capable replacement for Tony Hunt at tailback?

When Scott arrived at Penn State, he was billed as a potential superstar and game-breaking back. He led the Nittany Lions in rushing with 436 yards, but quickly slipped into Paterno's doghouse by missing meetings and classes. Injuries have slowed him the past two years, forcing him to redshirt a year ago. By the time the Sept. 1 opener against Florida International rolls around, it will have been nearly 20 months since Scott last played in a game.

2) Can senior quarterback Anthony Morelli emerge as the leader of the offense?

Morelli, from Penn Hills High School, finished strong in his first season as the starting quarterback last season. He guided the Lions to wins in five of their past six games, capped by a strong showing in the Outback Bowl against Tennessee. Morelli's top four receivers are as good as any in the conference and he has the arm to throw deep. However, Morelli and the offense must be more consistent in the red zone, where Penn State ranked 10th in the conference with 22 touchdowns and 16 field goals in 51 opportunities.

3) Will the retooled offensive line become a cohesive unit?

Penn State has four players returning, including A.Q. Shipley from Moon High School, but most of them will line up at different positions. Gerald Cadogan, who started five games at left guard last year, shifts to left tackle to replace Levi Brown, a two-time All-American. John Shaw has moved from right tackle to right guard. Shipley started all 13 games at center last season and is expected to take on the leadership role vacated by Brown, who was a first-round draft pick of the Arizona Cardinals. Rich Ohrnberger, who started nine games at right guard, also returns.

4) Can linebacker Dan Connor become a dominant force in the middle?

Connor, an All-American candidate, has moved from outside linebacker to inside to replace standout Paul Posluszny, the Hopewell High School product now playing for the Buffalo Bills. Connor has added 15 pounds to his 6-foot-3 frame, putting his weight at 239. Connor believes the extra pounds will increase his production and give him a little extra pop when hitting Big Ten tailbacks. He is the only senior among six returning starters on what should be an outstanding defense.

5) Will Kevin Kelly rebound from an off year?

The left-footed kicker struggled mightily last season, making just 22 of 34 field-goal attempts, with a long of 49 yards. Penn State also must find a replacement for punter Jeremy Kapinos, who averaged 41.9 yards on 61 punts.