Penn State

3:30 p.m. Oct. 28, Ohio Stadium

James Franklin (fourth season) 11-3 overall, 8-1 in Big Ten (tied for first in East Division); beat Wisconsin 38-31 in Big Ten championship game; lost to Southern California 52-49 in Rose Bowl

Penn State has a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate in RB Saquon Barkley, who totaled 1,496 yards and 18 touchdowns last year. But the Nittany Lions really took off when QB Trace McSorley found his big-play magic. He ended up setting school records for passing yards (3,614) and TDs (29). The top returnees on defense include LB Jason Cabinda and safety Marcus Allen.

Can the Nittany Lions’ defense, leaky at times last year, overcome the loss of CB John Reid, who suffered a serious knee injury in the spring and may miss all of 2017? The schedule isn’t favorable, with a three-week October/November stretch of Michigan, at Ohio State and at Michigan State. season)

8-5 overall, 6-3 in Big Ten (tied for second in West Division); lost to Florida 30-3 in Outback Bowl

It’s no surprise that Ferentz is building his team again on a solid offensive line and a stout running game. Akrum Wadley returns after a 1,000-yard season and will be joined by James Butler, a graduate transfer who topped 1,300 yards for Nevada last season. On defense, Josey Jewell leads a talented group of linebackers but much of the secondary needs rebuilt.

Who replaces C.J. Beathard at quarterback is still in flux. Sophomore Nathan Stanley seems to have the edge over junior Tyler Wiegers but both could play to start the season. Regardless, the Hawkeyes’ passing game is iffy, with only one receiver (Matt VandeBerg) who had a catch in 2016 on the roster.