Ohio @ Penn State preview

The Bill O’Brien tenure at Penn State begins Saturday, when he becomes the first coach to guide the Nittany Lions in an opener other than Joe Paterno since 1965. O’Brien has worked hard to turn the focus of the team back onto the field and away from the scandal that has surrounded the program since early last season. Harsh NCAA sanctions will keep Penn State from appearing in the postseason and has resulted in an exodus of players from the program. O’Brien will kick things off against Ohio, which is on the shortlist of teams gunning for the Mid-American Conference title. The Bobcats reached the 2011 conference final and return junior quarterback Tyler Tettleton to an offense that averaged more than 30 points last season.

TV: 12 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Penn State -6

ABOUT PENN STATE (2011: 9-4, 6-2 Big Ten): The Nittany Lions will have a lot of eyes on them this season as O’Brien attempts to follow the legendary Paterno. The NCAA allowed Penn State players to transfer without sitting out after doling out its punishment and several took advantage, most notably running back Silas Redd. Quarterback Matt McGloin started at the end of last season and elected to stay for his senior year to work with a coach in O’Brien who has spent the past several years guiding Tom Brady and the New England Patriots’ offense. The defense, which is working under new coordinator Ted Roof, should again be the team's strength. The unit finished fifth in the nation last season, allowing 16.8 points per game.

ABOUT OHIO (2011: 10-4, 6-2 MAC): The Bobcats are coming off their first 10-win season since 1968 and run a no-huddle offense behind Tettleton, who passed for 3,306 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2011 - his first season as a starter. Tettleton will be breaking in some new receivers with LaVon Brazill and Riley Dunlop graduated but has consistency in the running game with junior Beau Blankenship, who came on at the end of 2011, and junior Ryan Boykin. The defense finished 32nd in the nation in points allowed last season, surrendering 22.1, and is stacked on the interior line with seniors Carl Jones, Neal Huynh and Corey Hasting. Two more seniors lead a strong secondary.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Ohio kicker Matt Weller was the 2011 MAC Special Teams Player of the Year. He did not miss a field goal inside 30 yards and went 15-for-23 from 30-plus yards.

2. The Nittany Lions expect a sellout of 108,000 fans.

3. Penn State has won each of the previous five meetings between the schools, though they have not met since 1974.

PREDICTION: Penn State 24, Ohio 21