Indiana State @ Penn State preview

THE STORY: No. 25 Penn State went 7-6 in 2010, its worst season since posting a 4-7 record in 2004. Injuries and a leaky defense that surrendered an average of 23.7 points per game didn’t help, but with seven returning starters, the Nittany Lions are poised to rebound in 2011. Indiana State, meanwhile, is coming off its first winning season since 1996.
This game marks the first ever meeting between the two teams.

TV: Big Ten Network. Line: Penn State -37

ABOUT INDIANA STATE (2010: 6-5, 4-4 MVC): Entering 2010, Indiana State had won just two of its previous 62 games and had winless seasons in 2005, 2007 and 2008. Now, with 17 returning starters, expectations are considerably higher than they’ve been in recent years. QB Ronnie Fouch is among the team’s key returners. He threw for 20 touchdowns last year and led an offense that averaged 31.9 points per game.

ABOUT PENN STATE (2010: 7-6, 4-4 Big Ten): Penn State coach Joe Paterno hadn’t named a starting quarterback a week before the opener. Rob Bolden and Matt McGloin continue to compete for the job. Bolden is coming off a disappointing freshman year, where he threw more interceptions (7) than touchdowns (5), before suffering a concussion in late October. McGloin started five of the team’s final six games. Penn State lost its all-time leading rusher, Evan Royster, to graduation, but Silas Redd, who averaged 5.7 yards per carry in 2010, figures to be an adequate replacement.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Penn State has never lost to an FCS opponent and is 4-0 against them in the last five years.

2. Paterno, entering his 46th season, has 401 career victories.

3, Indiana State has been outscored 248-66 in its last five games against BCS opponents, including a 40-7 loss last year at Cincinnati.

PREDICTION: Penn State 49, Indiana State 7 -- The Sycamores won’t have an answer for Penn State’s physical play. Look for the Nittany Lions to roll.