Penn State knows where it's ranked (not that it matters).
They'll sign up for finishing where they start, too.
On this week's episode of the Penn Stated podcast, co-hosts Donnie Collins and Sam Fremin of The Times-Tribune in Scranton discuss the Nittany Lions' season-opening No. 8 ranking in the Associated Press poll, which was released on Tuesday. Obviously, they will be happy to finish there in the College Football Playoff rankings, considering a No. 8 will get them a home game in the first round of the 12-team tournament. But are they overrated in that spot, or underrated?
Donnie and Sam discuss that, as well as the overrated-or-underrated question on the rest of the nine teams that comprise the top 10, including three other Big Ten teams: No. 2 Ohio State, No. 3 Oregon and No. 9 Michigan.
In the second segment, the hosts discuss the most important players on the Penn State roster this season, drafting their top 6 players in terms of importance. Some may surprise you. Others might not.

To contact Donnie, drop an email at dcollins@scrantontimes.com, or send him a message on Twitter @PennStateTT.

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Penn State's depth took a hit last week.
Or, maybe more accurately, the reality of Penn State's depth at certain positions came to light.
But as the Nittany Lions' local media day came and went last weekend. one theme emerged: There's guarded optimism around the program that enough players are ready to take the next step that we could be seeing a new era of Nittany Lions football once the season starts on Aug. 31 in West Virginia.
On this week's episode of the Penn Stated podcast, hosts Donnie Collins and Sam Fremin discuss that gap between Penn State's hopes and the expectations of the programs at the top of the food chain in the Big Ten and around the nation. How close is Penn State this season to potentially getting to that level? What do they need to happen? Are there too many unknowns?
Donnie and Sam also discuss the value of captains, the depth at cornerback, and the level of their confidence in where the program is at now in relation to a year ago.
Plus, should Michigan's national championship be stricken from the books after the NCAA came down with a "heavy" sanction against head coach Jim Harbaugh for recruiting violations? Tune in to find out their take.

To contact Donnie, drop an email at dcollins@scrantontimes.com, or send him a message on Twitter @PennStateTT.

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Penn State will play football this month, so let the conjecture begin. And, there is certainly plenty to conject (granted, that might not be a word) about as the Nittany Lions opened training camp this week.
Hosts Donnie Collins and Sam Fremin give their thoughts on the suspensions of second-year standouts Jameial Lyons and Kaveion Keys and what their current status means for a defense that is on the thin side without them, especially at defensive end. Who could step up there, and is there any chance it means not having to roll the dice on a young player with little experience?
Donnie and Sam also delve into some of the issues on offense, including the issue brought up in recent weeks by an unlikely source: Leadership. Is quarterback Drew Allar ready to take the offense by the scruff and guide it to newer heights? Is that necessary?
All that, and more, on the Season 3 debut episode of the Penn Stated podcast.

To contact Donnie, drop an email at dcollins@scrantontimes.com, or send him a message on Twitter @PennStateTT.

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