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leave via the transfer portal. But it also allowed Levis to insert his name into the ring as a contender a year earlier than he expected. "I think Tommy leaving was one of those situations that basically gave me another year, putting me a step up in terms of my future, so you've got to stay ready and approach every week as if you're the starter," Levis said. Franklin said at media day that he would prefer to name a starting quarter- back as early as possible but that it was- n't a process he was going to rush. More than two weeks into camp, there was no official word on which QB would be leading the offense onto the field in the season opener against Idaho. Franklin did say that if all things were equal, he would likely side with the more experi- enced option in Clifford, but as of mid- August the coaching staff was still focused on installing its offense. "When it comes to the quarterbacks, we're going to get through the installs first and then just kind of go from there," Franklin said. "But obviously we're eval- uating everything. I think both Clifford and Levis are doing some really nice things. The two young kids [Ta'Quan Roberson and Michael Johnson Jr.] are starting to get more comfortable, too. So we've been pleased, but we haven't had Playing quarterback in this o6ense is about much, MUCH more than just throwing a ball. It's all about making decisions and making them instantly. That takes time, and it can only be truly practiced in a real game situation. That's why the easy front end of the schedule is critical to the development of Sean Cli6ord. Because of this, I'm not expecting to see an awful lot of Will Levis early on. SJLuvsLions I can't imagine Clifford doesn't win the starting nod. McSorely will be hard/impossible to replace, but I look forward to this new phase in Penn State football. I cannot help but feel very op- timistic toward the 2019 season. I ex- pect magic like in 2016. JoePano19 I have a suspicion that we are all going to be surprised by what Clifford can do this year. Very surprised. And Levis isn't far behind. bohucon My biggest watch item for Idaho and Buffalo is to see if Penn State's offen- sive line can dominate those teams' D- lines. PSU's O-line has struggled sometimes (not always, but certainly sometimes) against these lesser out-of- conference teams, and it's often been an indicator of whether the O-line is a strength or something that Ricky Rahne (and Joe Moorhead before him) will have to work around. Pitt's D-line is also a test, given the rivalry, and hopefully we see improvement there. If not, then being offensively dominant in the Big Ten is going to be a rough go, and Rahne will have to be creative to create space and time for skill players to be effective. pioneerlion83 The more I read about our team and evaluate other teams in the Big Ten, I agree that our o6ensive line is going to be the key. They have the potential to be good to great. Hoping our O-line coach can get them there quickly. ... Whoever can control the line of scrimmage will be winning the close, competitive games. It's not rocket science. Also, turnovers and special teams will be critical for Penn State. We need to be good in both areas. tugrjs I believe this defensive line group will solidify Coach Spencer as a top DL coach, making it easier to recruit the elite defensive line talent we have strug- gled to sign. Chandler Pearce I agree! If this line is as good as we think it will be, it could be the beginning of some very good DT recruiting! We've brought in some real good defensive tackles the last couple years but still missed on some complete studs. Maybe this is what gets us over that hump, and we can start to get a couple of those 5ve- star freak DTs! Jaymar80 I get a little queasy anytime I think of using primary players for running back kicks or punts. But that's just my inse- curity showing up. It worked all right with Saquon Barkley in 2017, but he was one durable superstar. When I think of those guys who are slight of build, I just get a little worried for the big games down the road if they're not available. PSU4U OK, let me think. On kicko6s, K.J. Hamler. On punts, K.J. Hamler. Done thinking. BicyclePete I'm not so sure about that, Pete. If, as has been intimated, Hamler is going to be used more in the o6ense than he was last year, it may be a bit much to expect him to do both. I mean, he's not the biggest guy on the team and it might take too much out of him. I can certainly see him as the punt returner, but if Jour- ney Brown is as good as advertised and Devyn Ford is anything near the 5ve- star rating he brought with him, I can see a two-person kicko6 tandem with those two in it. I don't know about Ford's speed, but Brown is clearly fast enough. Lion10 For kicko6s: Hamler and Brown. For punts: John Reid and Keaton Ellis. Why? Kicko6s: the speed and elusiveness of Hamler and the streak speed of Brown. Punts: Reid is experienced and has "earned" the spot. Ellis is the comer, needs the experience but will hold his own in his hometown stadium with family and friends cheering and egging him on. bcrane1917 S I T E L I N E S B W I . R I V A L S . C O M R E A D E R S S O U N D O F F O N P R E S E A S O N P R A C T I C E

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