UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Penn State junior center Stefen Wisniewski recently spent a half-hour posing for photos for the cover of Sports Illustrated.

He was pleasantly surprised when the Aug. 17 cover shot of the regional college football issue hit the Internet earlier this week.

Wisniewski, a Central Catholic High School graduate, is positioned to snap the football to quarterback Daryll Clark, who is calling an audible.

"I think it looks pretty sweet," Wisniewski said during the team's annual media day yesterday. "As an offensive lineman, you never think it could happen. I definitely feel honored and blessed.

"It definitely kind of doesn't feel quite real yet. I feel like I got to hold it in my hands and look at it. Because looking at it on the Internet, it's like, 'Is it real?' I'm not sure."

The Nittany Lions are one of four regional covers for SI, which ranks them No. 14 and predicts they will make their third BCS appearance in the past five years. Penn State is ranked No. 8 in the USA Today preseason coaches' poll.

"I think that kind of reflects how we think about ourselves," Wisniewski said.

"We think we're one of the top 10 teams in the country and we feel like we have a legitimate shot at the national title. We feel like that's a pretty accurate ranking."

Wisniewski, one of 40 players named to the Outland Trophy watch list, is one of only two starters returning on an offensive line that lost three first-team, All-Big Ten Conference performers. Wisniewski moved over from right guard.

Coach Joe Paterno said yesterday that fifth-year senior Dennis Landolt, a two-year starter at right tackle, has moved over to left tackle to protect Clark's blind side. Also, sophomore DeOn'tae Pannell, a backup at left tackle last season, has shifted to right tackle.

Redshirt junior Lou Eliades is running No. 1 at right guard in preseason practice and redshirt freshman Matt Stankiewitch is at left guard.

Paterno said lack of experience on that line concerns him.

"We've got to find a couple kids that can play," he said.

Penn State also must replace its top three receivers and all four starters in the secondary.

Senior left cornerback A.J. Wallace, who has made six career starts and is the most-experienced player in the secondary, is practicing with the team despite skipping some recent classes, but he is running with the third unit.

"I told A.J. I might not play him in a game or two because he cut classes," Paterno said. "If he cuts any more classes, he won't play. I think you got to send a message. ... He's obviously one of our better players. I think he'll be all right."

Nick Sukay, a redshirt sophomore from Greensburg Central Catholic, is running No. 1 at strong safety. His first two seasons have been marred by injuries, and he has yet to play a down for the Lions.

Sean Lee, a fifth-year senior linebacker and co-captain from Upper St. Clair, missed last season after tearing a knee ligament and has not played in a game since the Alamo Bowl in December 2007. He said the first few practices have been tough on him.

"My whole body feels sore, but it's a good sore," Lee said. "I'm just glad to be back playing football again."

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NOTES -- Paterno believes redshirt junior linebacker Navorro Bowman, who flunked two drug tests this spring, is on the right path. "I think he's been all business," Paterno said. "He had a good semester academically. He had a good summer school session. I think he's worked hard. He's tried to be a leader. I think he has been. I don't think we have any problems with him." ... Bowman is the father of a 3-month old son who lives with his girlfriend in Maryland. "It's a huge responsibility," he said. "My girlfriend supports me and I support her whenever she needs me around." ... Paterno criticized speedster Chaz Powell, a redshirt sophomore wide receiver expected to be a starter. "He has to start paying attention to detail, little things," Paterno said. "He's careless with some things. He doesn't concentrate sometimes going after the football."