The Associated Press file photo Penn State coach James Franklin and quarterback Sean Clifford are ready for another season of working together.

Even in the best of times — which these are not — there is never a shortage of questions concerning Penn State football.

So here are 10 to whet the appetite for the 2022 season.

1. How do you explain the Nittany Lions’ recent record and their high number of NFL draft picks?

Penn State’s eight players picked in April were the fourth most in the country behind only LSU, Georgia and Cincinnati — three teams that have enjoyed considerably more success lately than the Lions.

Further, 31 PSU players have heard their names called by the big league in the last five years, marking the Lions’ best five-year stretch since 1992-96.

These numbers speak directly to James Franklin’s recruiting prowess coupled with the performance and strength staff’s ability to prepare players for the NFL Combine and next level.

What it also does is expose Franklin and his staff for underachieving on the field.

There is no way to justify an 11-11 record these last two years with this kind of talent — except that average quarterback play and even worse offensive line play can neutralize the best of skill players.

2. Will Sean Clifford play better this season?

The good news about 2022 is Clifford is coming back.

The bad news about 2022 is Clifford is coming back.

Actually, there’s more good than bad.

Clifford’s experience through a difficult early portion of the schedule will benefit the Lions and ease the eventual transition to younger prospects Drew Allar and Beau Pribula, both of whom played in the Blue-White Game.

Clifford acknowledged this spring that he wasn’t the same after the season-altering hit he took at Iowa, after which the Lions’ season collapsed — in part because the coaching staff didn’t have an adequate backup ready on short notice.

Prior, Clifford was looking like he did in 2019, and the offense was rolling.

Further, offensive coordinator has not been a stable position under Franklin so Clifford should benefit from Mike Yurcich having a year under his belt.

Should he finish the season, Clifford, because of his longevity, will hold most of the Penn State passing records.

But he’ll have to play much better to deserve mention in the same breath as all-time passing leader Trace McSorley and other program greats.

While the true freshmen are anticipated, Christian Veilleux also shouldn’t be discounted. He impressed in his only extended time last year, albeit against Rutgers, showing line-of-scrimmage presence and a nice touch.

3. Was Franklin’s contract extension a good idea?

It seemed to be a going-away present by both Sandy Barbour and Eric Barron.

Franklin was already under contract through 2025 and has lost his leverage. But at the time the negotiations heated up, the Lions were 5-0, and Penn State brass was nervous that a suitor — either USC, LSU or even Florida — could poach him.

That the Lions, in part due to Clifford’s injury, careened to six losses in their last eight games, punctured Franklin’s bubble.

He now enters the season a mere 14-13 in his last 27 games dating back to the 8-0 start in 2019. Not to mention a collective 7-17 vs. Ohio State, Michigan and Michigan State.

Confidence in and enthusiasm for the program is the lowest it’s been in a while.

Franklin’s challenge will be to restore that in short order.

Ironically, when the Lions’ fast start in 2021 fueled suspicion Franklin could be on the move, one name was considered the frontrunner: Matt Rhule, the State College native, former Lion walk-on and current Carolina Panthers’ head coach.

And less than a year later, because he doesn’t have a franchise quarterback, Rhule is among the NFL coaches entering 2022 on the hot seat.

(Worth noting: Rhule is close with Pat Kraft, having worked together at Temple.)

4. Will the running game be improved?

The lack of a 100-yard rusher last year was a stunning statistic. In fact, it’s the first time that’s happened since 1978.

Franklin keeps talking about how the Lions need to run the ball better. By all accounts, heralded freshman prospect Nick Singleton may step into a starting role and should bolster the position with a player quicker to the hole — presuming there is a hole.

Keyvone Lee should have started last year, but the staff remained fixated with Noah Cain. Devyn Ford is still around and a candidate for some touches, including on special teams.

Again, the success at the position — like quarterback — is tied to the offensive line. Phil Trautwein begins his third season as OL coach, and there is enough experience around, led by center Juice Scruggs and tackle Caeden Wallace. Then again, there’s usually been enough experience around.

It would help if Franklin shows confidence in the run.

Rewind the tape to fourth-and-goal at the Michigan 2. Up 3-0 and the home crowd dying to get involved, the staff ordered up a fake field goal with holder Rafael Checa trying to throw a pass to Jordan Stout, who was snowed under for an 18-yard loss, sucking the air out of Beaver Stadium.

That kind of call doesn’t exactly help an offensive line and run game.

5. What else was missing last year?

The story of the season was Franklin’s contract, which was resolved with a generous — and surprising — extension through 2031.

During the process, he was clearly distracted. Normally on point in press conferences, he called Ohio Stadium “the Big House,” and said his focus was on Illinois when the Nits were playing Ohio State.

Now it’s come to light that a sexual exploitation case in which a few players were allegedly victimized was unfolding at the same time. The details raise concerns, but according to Spotlight PA, the Centre County district attorney closed his investigation in June at the request of the players. No charges were filed, though the case is still considered open to a possible federal probe.

Clearly, there was a disconnect, on and off the field.

Consequently, it didn’t seem to be a coincidence that a half-dozen Lions bailed on the Outback Bowl game with Arkansas.

Some, like Jahan Dotson, had first-round draft status to protect. But others, like Derrick Tangelo, skipped the game and weren’t drafted.

Just five years ago, Saquon Barkley played in the Fiesta Bowl. Times have changed dramatically with the approach to bowl games, and now you’re seeing borderline prospects say thanks but no thanks.

For all the talk of an expanded playoff, it makes you wonder whether the players will be all in.

Jake Pinegar is the frontrunner for the placekicking job.

In an age where too many college athletes respond to adversity by racing to the transfer portal, Pinegar deserves credit for his perseverance after losing his job to Stout last year.

Pinegar led the Big Ten in scoring as a freshman with 101 points, and he’s been reliable, hitting 28-of-33 field goals inside 40 with just five extra point misses in 143 career tries.

His range is an issue: He’s only 9-of-18 outside 40 and will be challenged by newcomer Sander Sahaydak.

Punting is an even bigger question as Stout was a weapon who the Baltimore Ravens drafted in the fourth round.

Switzerland native Barney Amor is the leading candidate. He averaged 42.8 on 60 punts at Colgate in 2019 before transferring. Another possibility is 6-foot-6, 220-pound freshman Gabe Nwosu and incoming scholarship freshman Alex Bacchetta, the nation’s top-rated high school punter from Atlanta.

7. Is Will Levis really a first-round draft pick?

Penn State thought Levis was a fullback, prompting his transfer to Kentucky, where he shined last year and raised the bar on his draft status.

One speculative NFL Draft website even projects him as possibly the No. 1 overall pick, which you can be certain was met with a collective gulp in the PSU football office.

If that projection seems over-the-top, the fact that Levis is in the conversation as a potential first-round selection suggests Franklin picked the wrong quarterback when sticking with Clifford, dating back to 2020.

The 2023 draft class is loaded with quarterbacks. On his radio show this past spring, Mel Kiper included Levis among the top half-dozen available and then in an impressive display of memory, proceeded to buzz through a list of 25 draftable QBs.

Clifford wasn’t among them.

Maybe Clifford will play himself into draft status. If not, it’s a good thing he’s got his NIL agency.

8. So who’s your breakout player?

Penn State is obviously high on wide receiver Mitchell Tinsley, who caught 87 passes for 1,402 yards (16.1 average) and 16 touchdowns.

They’ve even given him Jahan Dotson’s number (5).

Under multiple receivers’ coaches, Franklin’s program has done a good job developing NFL wide receivers — Chris Godwin, DaeSean Hamilton, K.J. Hamler and now Dotson.

Tinsley’s quarterback at Western Kentucky, Bailey Zappe, was selected by New England in the fourth round after setting FBS season records of 5,977 and 62 touchdowns last season, both staggering numbers.

9. How does the schedule shake out?

Of course, Penn State opens on the road. It almost always does. This year’s trip to Purdue marks seven straight road openers and 12 of the last 13.

Like the visit to Wisconsin last year, which the Lions won to their credit but were fortunate since the Badgers self-destructed in their red zone, this year’s lidlifter will be especially challenging since the Boilermakers are getting a prime-time window at home with a returning quarterback in Aiden O’Connell.

Somehow, Penn State is 5-point favorite.

There’s also trips to Auburn and Michigan. Ditto Indiana and Rutgers, two teams that usually keep things close vs. the Lions.

Not to mention home games with the Buckeyes and Michigan State.

The tradeoff on the schedule is the Lions don’t play West Division foes Wisconsin and Iowa, which have been replaced by Minnesota and Northwestern.

Then again: There are no givens. This is a team that couldn’t score a 2-point conversion against Illinois in nine tries.

10. Do you have a prediction already?

8-4 is the most optimistic I can be.

Rudel begins his 46th year of Penn State football coverage. He can be reached at nrudel@altoonamirror.com. He will respond to brief comments and questions weekly in Gameday. You can also follow him on Twitter@neilrudel.

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

By Wes Crosby Associated Press PITTSBURGH (AP) — Bryan Reynolds hit two home runs, JT Brubaker pitched seven ...

In a seesaw game that featured five lead changes, Malcom Nunez delivered a walk-off home run in the ninth to cap ...

By Will Graves The Associated Press PITTSBURGH — Kenny Pickett is next door, flinging footballs for the ...

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

Copyright © Altoona Mirror | https://www.altoonamirror.com | 301 Cayuga Ave., Altoona, PA 16602 | 814-946-7411