With history to make, high energy across the program, and a team full of proven returners, WVU is a scary team to watch for ahead of Week 1.
If there is any team on WVU’s schedule that can damper that momentum, though, it would be the Mountaineers’ first opponents, the Penn State Nittany Lions, who will come to Morgantown for the second straight matchup.
Penn State, ranked No. 8 in the AP Top 25 for the preseason, is set for improvement from last season, which is high praise after a 10-3 season and eight NFL Draft selections.
Much of last year’s third-ranked defense in the nation returns, now as seniors and juniors, and now-junior quarterback Drew Allar enters the season more mature and with several of the same offensive weapons, so an upward trajectory only makes sense for the Nittany Lions despite last season’s departures.
For the Nittany Lions, everything starts with the defense. Penn State’s leading tacklers, juniors Kevin Winston Jr. and Kobe King, return at safety and linebacker after All-Big Ten Honorable Mention seasons. Third team All-Big Ten defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton also returns to the defensive line with All-American second teamer Abdul Carter, who is listed as a defensive end after shining at linebacker last season.
Carter and Winston Jr. are expected to carry Penn State’s defensive load this season, with both being named to the watch list for the Bednarik Award, given to college football’s best defensive player. The Nittany Lions will be without five of last season’s All-Big Ten defensive selections this year, but with senior safety Jaylen Reed moving to nickelback and a strong young core remaining, there are few worries about Penn State on this side of the ball.
Offensively, Penn State is more short-staffed. Allar will lead the way at quarterback after a 2,631-yard season with 25 touchdowns and just two interceptions. His main target will be 6-foot-6, 261-pound tight end Tyler Warren, who made the All-Big Ten third team last season with 34 catches for 422 yards and seven touchdowns.
Senior Ohio State transfer Julian Fleming will likely have to take charge in the receivers room this year. Fleming caught 26 receptions for 270 yards in 2023. Junior Harrison Wallace III and sophomore Kaden Saunders will be looked at to step up in the position this season as well.
Like West Virginia, though, Penn State’s most significant threats come in the run game. Even more similarly, the Nittany Lions have two star running backs in juniors Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton.
Allen served as Penn State’s lead rusher in last season, going for 902 yards in 172 carries with six touchdowns. Singleton scored more in less yards, gaining 752 yards in 171 carries with eight touchdowns. Singleton also doubled as a receiving threat last season, which will be expected again this year. Singleton secured 26 catches for 308 yards and two touchdowns in 2023.
With a deep, proven defense, headline-worthy offensive threats, yet a lot of roster turnover and potential uncertainty, Penn State stands out as a high-profile team that West Virginia’s clear-cut identity, strong chemistry, and unrivaled energy may be able to take down in Week 1. The game will kick off at noon on Saturday at Milan Puskar Stadium and can be viewed on FOX.
