REBECCA BLACKWELL/Associated Press Penn State coach James Franklin looks up during the second half of the Orange Bowl College against Notre Dame in early January.

STATE COLLEGE — So how’s Penn State going to be this year?

That’s a question I’ve been getting for the last month so let’s get it out of the way: 12-0.

At least in the regular season.

I’m taking my lead from James Franklin.

To be clear, he hasn’t made that prediction.

But if you’ve listened to Franklin closely over the years – he’s now beginning season No. 12, and at 101-42, he’ll soon become the second winningest coach in school history, passing Rip Engle (104) – he’s never fully embraced the expectations of the fan base.

Instead, he’s talked about the lack of offensive linemen in the program when he took over in 2014, or how Penn State had fallen behind in its facilities, or a slow start in NIL, or how he’s “pounded the table” for more administrative flexibility.

Lately, though, most of that has changed as he’s clearly enjoyed a great relationship with still-new athletic director Pat Kraft, and he considers the Old Main “alignment” the best it has been during his tenure.

And that’s a reason he went out on a limb at Big Ten Media Days and again Saturday when he said: “When you look at all of our personnel, not just the players, but the staff and players, it’s the best combination that we’ve had in my 12 years here. The depth, the experience, the talent is impressive.”

Which is a nice way to say: No more excuses.

The Nittany Lions lured the nation’s top defensive coordinator, Jim Knowles, from rival Ohio State and made him the highest paid assistant in the country ($3.1 million).

They have a veteran quarterback in Drew Allar, a first-round draft pick who is eager to atone for some big-game mistakes he’s made in the past – most notably the fatal interception vs. Notre Dame in the CFP semifinals.

Mix in decorated running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, an experienced offensive line, exciting new receivers and some elite defenders, led by Dani Dennis-Sutton and A.J. Harris, two more potential first-rounders.

Franklin’s forte is marketing, recruiting and retention, and he’s certainly done all of that.

Then there’s the friendly schedule.

Penn State doesn’t leave the campus until Oct. 4 for a trip to UCLA.

The Nits open against Nevada, and they’ve already been installed as 45-point favorites. That’s probably the lowest line of the first three games, Florida International and Villanova being the others.

Oregon comes in for the Sept. 27 White Out that will shake the temporary bleachers – which look impressive, by the way – and that is one of just two, maybe three, circled dates on the schedule.

The other, of course, is in Columbus on Nov. 1 – the only game Penn State isn’t favored to win.

Franklin’s teams have been competitive with the Buckeyes, but when it’s been time to finish them off or make the right call, his wins (1-10 vs. OSU) have been outnumbered by the number of times he’s been taunted on his way into the home tunnel.

This year the game is in Columbus against a team that shipped 14 players to the 2025 NFL Draft and is breaking in a new quarterback. So for Franklin and PSU, the time is now.

The Lions’ two biggest games, Oregon and Ohio State, are also preceded by open dates.

Barring an injury to Allar, Iowa is the only other game that could be a toss-up as it’s typically a test in Iowa City, even more so if it’s at night. Then again, Kirk Ferentz’s teams have been terminally challenged offensively.

When the Associated Press poll is released next Monday (Aug. 11), the Lions will surely be in the Top 5 and might even draw a couple first-place votes.

“All the hard work that they have done, the number of guys that decided to come back, they have earned those types of conversations and that attention,” Franklin said. “But I would also say … no one cares about preseason rankings.”

Allar added: “The expectations are nice, and it’s cool to be recognized in the preseason. But it’s just preseason. The only rankings I care about are the ones at the end of the year.”

And that’s where this season will be defined – both for Allar and Franklin as the quarterback and coach get most of the credit and most of the blame.

They both found that out last year when the Lions blew two leads and coughed up a chance to at least get the Fighting Irish to overtime.

“We won 13 games and were a few points and a few drives away from playing for the national championship,” Franklin said. “And people were pissed.”

And rightfully so.

The Lions have the talent to get right back to that position, and this year’s playoff road almost certainly will not be gift-wrapped by SMU and Boise State.

Can the Nits win the Big Ten title, which may require beating Ohio State or Oregon twice? Can they beat Texas, Clemson or one of the SEC bluebloods, Georgia or Alabama?

Those are all intriguing matchups that provide the backdrop for the most anticipated season under Franklin and probably since 1999.

But for now, regular season, 12-0.

Neil Rudel has been writing about Penn State football since 1977. He can be reached at nrudel@altoonamirror.com.