Yes, this prediction has been made before, and yes, it has also been wrong before. But now it's Mills' last chance, and he's as fired up as his trademark calmness will allow. With no LJ, quarterback drama or injuries getting in his way, this season should be his, allowing his long lost 2001 form to grace Beaver Stadium with its presence once again.

Paterno proclaiming Hunt the starting running back this week generated enough buzz around this true sophomore, but we've chosen to continue it. Hunt didn't see the field much last year, but he showed traits of a dynamic power runner, something Penn State has needed since LJ.

Maybe he won't bust out breakaway dashes just yet, but Mills has said "if there's a little seam to get four yards, he's going to go and get it, he's not going to juke around trying to get 15," which is exactly what this offense needs.

Don't start your hollering -- Morelli will never see the field this year. But that doesn't mean he won't have an impact on the Penn State program. His presence on the roster alone will help attract top recruits -- with any luck, a company of receivers -- who like their chances with Morelli. Mills has said Morelli's everything he's been built up to be, and besides, it's not as if any other freshmen on offense will see much significant playing time either.

The outlook down in the trenches has been only neutral at best, but, actually, this line has the chance to be pretty good.

The five slated starters have played together all spring, and there are reasons to be excited about individuals, including center E.Z. Smith, who red-shirted last season due to disciplinary reasons, but was particularly promising as a freshman starter in 2002.

Add Galen Hall's new zone-blocking scheme and the fact that these guys seem to get along -- Tyler Reed and Andrew Richardson on the right side like to do "linemen things" together -- and this group will be surprisingly pleasing.

The problem is, the bar's been set egregiously high for this man without a position. This isn't to say that he's not the best athlete on the team, or that he won't ever fascinate the crowd, but when Coach Paterno says that he's "as good a football player as there is in America, all-around," that's just a recipe for disappointment. A few of the patented Robinson trick plays might still work, but that's not enough for this guy to be built up as the answer.

So you're looking for a playmaker? Well, we got your playmaker right here. Just because he's overrated does NOT mean he won't be filling the highlight reels. This was explained above. On an offense that desperately needs someone who will make something happen, this could very well be MRob, who can play any of at least three positions. He's got the charisma, the spark and the talent, even if he isn't quite the best football player in America, all-around.

Robinson says he feels "safe" with Jefferson at fullback. Other teammates point to him as the kind of outspoken leader this team needs. And he's ready to do some damage after red-shirting last fall. Basically, he's big, he blocks and he's ferocious in the backfield. Those sound a lot like some loaded intangibles.

Not since Zack Mills in 2001 has a freshman generated so much excitement for his sophomore season. And Paul Posluszny didn't even have the benefit of a redshirt year. Posluszny has all of the tools to be the next great Penn State linebacker and an attitude that has already made him a leader in his second year. Couple that with his big-play ability and Posluszny becomes the best all-around player on the defense.

Tamba Hali has felt like he's "been in stuck in quicksand," in his words, the past two years at defensive tackle. Now at his more natural defensive position that he excelled at in high school, Hali has the potential to be the best pass rusher on a squad that desperately needs one.

One of the top prep linebackers in the country last year, Connor is currently running with the second-team linebackers and will likely see the most playing time of anyone in his class this season. Given time to bulk up and learn the defense, Connor has the potential to play a significant role in the defense by midseason, as Posluszny did in 2003.

Perhaps the least-noticed name on the defense, Jay Alford is entering just his second season of playing and has as much upside as anyone on the defense. As a member of a less-than-stellar front seven last season, however, most tended to bypass the defensive tackles because of the unit's mediocre numbers against the run. Look for Alford to play a big part in changing that.

For a player that has so much of that dreaded word "potential," it's odd to suddenly think Derek Wake is in his last season at Penn State and has yet to live up to his. Unquestionably one of the best pure athletes on the team, Wake struggled last season in many aspects of his game and couldn't help improve those around him, as the team needed.

The reputation of Alan Zemaitis has spread quickly since last season, to the point where opposing offenses may fear him enough to avoid him altogether.

Zemaitis made a name for himself against Ohio State last season by intercepting Craig Krenzel in the red zone and returning it for a touchdown. Zemaitis set a Big Ten record last year with 207 return yards off of his four picks.

The senior member of the starting secondary, Andrew Guman is lauded for having an exceptional work ethic and character, evidenced by his play on the field and his outstanding performance in the classroom. Guman leads by example and his determination has been contagious.