Blue White Illustrated

: , 2012 RECORD 8-5 (5-2 Big East) SERIES RECORD Penn State leads, 4223-5 MOST RECENT MEETING Penn State won, 28-7, in Beaver Stadium on Sept. 12, 2009. OFFENSE Syracuse lost two starting offensive linemen and its top two receivers, but perhaps no loss is bigger than Ryan Nassib. Nassib's graduation leaves the Orangemen with four challengers for the starting quarterback spot. Dual-threat QB Terrell Hunt emerged from spring practice as a slight favorite, but Oklahoma transfer Drew Allen arrives on campus this summer, and the former Sooner is eligible to play right away. Jerome Smith, the team's leading rusher from 2012, returns to help stabilize an offense depleted by graduation, and scat back Prince-Tyson Gulley is a dangerous offensive player. DEFENSE Gone are three starters on the defensive line, along with a host of top backups. But Syracuse still has tackle Jay Bromley, whom defensive line coach Tim Daoust has called the "anchor" of the defense. The Orange will also rely on a few junior college prospects to add depth along the line, and they're looking for a converted tight end to fill in as a pass rusher. The defensive backfield will be one of the Orange's strengths this fall, and if Dyshawn Davis continues his development, Syracuse's linebackers could do some damage, too. OUTLOOK The quarterback won't be the only change this season. Syracuse also has a new head coach in Scott Shafer, a former defensive coordinator with the Orange, and the team is getting set to begin its first season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference. It will be looking to to start things off right vs. the Nittany Lions. – TIM OWEN ##", 2012 RECORD 2-10 (1-7 Mid-American Conference) SERIES RECORD Penn State leads, 2-0 MOST RECENT MEETING Penn State won 34-6 in Beaver Stadium on Sept. 24, 2011. OFFENSE Tyler Benz took over as starting quarterback after the fifth game of Eastern Michigan's abysmal 2012 season and threw for 1,511 yards, 14 touchdowns and eight interceptions, helping lead the Eagles to their only two wins. He might find himself in a starting battle again this summer when bluechip recruit Brogan Roback arrives on campus. A four-star prospect, as rated by Rivals.com, and the highest-ranked recruit in the program's history, Roback is hoping to see immediate playing time. But three veteran starters along the offensive line have graduated, and last year's top receiver is gone, too, so life could be difficult for either starter. Leading rusher Bronson Hill is back and will take some pressure off the QBs. DEFENSE Eastern Michigan fielded one of the country's worst defenses last year, allowing 37.6 points per game. Now it must replace three of its top four linebackers. And while most of the defensive line returns, head coach Ron English is looking for an improved pass rush after his team totaled only seven sacks last year. The secondary loses two starters but will get a boost from two junior college transfers and a three-star incoming freshman prospect. OUTLOOK The Eagles haven't had a winning season since 1995, but they return a significant portion of last year's squad. English played plenty of underclassmen in 2012, and the staff is hoping that those players and a few incoming recruits will lead to a breakthrough in 2013. – T.O. $!, 2012 RECORD 10-4 (7-1 Conference USA) SERIES RECORD Penn State leads, 2-0 MOST RECENT MEETING Penn State won, 37-13, in Beaver Stadium on Sept. 18, 2004. OFFENSE Blake Bortles is one of the best quarterbacks in the country, according to College Football Performance Awards, and he enters the season without having thrown an interception in 174 attempts, a program record. A second-team AllConference USA selection, Bortles helped lead UCF to 10 wins and a CUSA East title last season. With his top three receivers returning, the junior QB should only get better in his second season as a starter. Plus, Justin Tukes is considered one of best tight ends in the country, so Bortles is surrounded by talent, despite having lost leading rusher and scorer Latavius Murray to the NFL. DEFENSE The Knights fielded the nation's 42nd-best defense last season, but they've lost five veteran starters, including linebackers Jonathan Davis and Ray Shipman, who combined for 190 tackles as seniors. It looks as though UCF is in the midst of a rebuilding process as it turns to a bevy of prospects from the defense-oriented Class of 2011. OUTLOOK Just in time for their move to the Big East, the Knights will be sporting some flashy new uniforms in 2012. Their recent history is pretty flashy, too; this fall, they'll be looking for their third 10-win season in four years. But head coach George O'Leary has a tough schedule ahead of him, which includes games against Penn State, South Carolina and Louisville. And even though Bortles is expected to have a big year, UCF's defense might experience some growing pains as it points to the 2014 season – which will feature a rematch with PSU in Ireland. – T.O.

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