Joe Paterno is anxious.

With 39 years of experience as Penn State's head coach, one might think that JoePa is immune from a case of nerves. However, the Nittany Lions have won just seven games the past two seasons and Paterno is anxious to return Penn state to its winning tradition.

Since Penn State has an impressive defense and a potentially dangerous offense, many observers believe the Nittany Lions could be the most improved team in the Big Ten. They will get a chance to start proving it Sept. 3 against South Florida.

The Nittany Lions are looking at a potential 4-0 star with games against South Florida, Cincinnati, Central Michigan and Northwestern. Penn State will then face a major test as they face Minnesota, Ohio State and Michigan in consecutive weeks, but Paterno knows he can't afford to look too far ahead.

The QB position has been a wasteland the past two years. Paterno is hoping that Michael Robinson can succeed in his final opportunity. If he can't, highly touted Anthony Morelli will get his shot. Robinson is a fine athlete, but his accuracy has been an issue the last two seasons when he relieved former QB Zack Mills.

Tony Hunt is the leading returning runner. He gained 777 yards a year ago and averaged 4.6 yards per carry. He will be joined by Austin Scott. Both players have the ability to make big plays when they get to the second level.

The Nittany Lions need significant improvement at the WR position and freshman Derrick Williams gives them the explosiveness they have needed. However, for Williams to make a major impact Robinson will have to throw the ball with consistency -- something that he has been unable to do in recent years.

The defense -- led by DE Tamba Hali and OLB Paul Posluszny -- should be rock solid. But in order to take full advantage of that unit's strength, the offense has to be productive and stay on the field or the defense could wear out in the second half of the year.

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: If Penn State is to return to its winning tradition, it is incumbent upon the offense to turn things around after two miserable years. Michael Robinson gets the first crack at the QB position, but he must get off to a good start or Anthony Morelli will be ready to take over. RB Tony Hunt is a solid between-the-tackles runner who should be able to find some major holes in the South Florida defense. Penn State fans will be anxious to see athletic freshman Derrick Williams line up at the WR position. If he can make an impact, the Nittany Lions could be one of the most improved teams in the nation.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: The Penn State defense is talented and deep. DE Tamba Hali is the best of the four returning starters on the defensive line. He had 51 tackles last year, including 12 behind the line of scrimmage. LB Paul Posluszny had 104 tackles a year ago and rarely lets a ball carrier out of his grasp. CB Alan Zemaitis leads a veteran and talented secondary. Zemaitis has great hands and should be playing in the NFL a year from now.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "We have a really tight bond. We're all seniors. We all came in here together." -- Penn State FS Chris Harrell on the Nittany Lion starting secondary that also includes CBs Alan Zemaitis and Anwar Phillips and SS Calvin Lowry.

THIS WEEK'S GAME: vs. South Florida, Sept. 3 -- The Bulls are moving into the Big East this season and they figure to struggle in a very ordinary conference. They lack any major defensive presence, so the long-dormant Nittany Lion offense could finally get untracked. Penn State should come through with a great effort since they desperately need to get off to a good start after two poor seasons in a row.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Michael Robinson -- There is no doubt about his athletic talent, but there are plenty of questions about his ability to play quarterback on a consistent basis. Robinson completed just 14-of-39 passes in limited duty a year ago. He needs to calm down and show he can play consistently or Joe Paterno may have to pull him in favor of Anthony Morelli.

CB Anwar Phillips -- He will see plenty of action once again since Alan Zemaitis is the corner on the opposite side and he is one of the best in the nation. Phillips is very talented in his own right. In addition to being a solid hitter -- he's 6-1 and 180 -- Phillips had four picks a year ago. He could double that total this season.

CB Alan Zemaitis -- He is perhaps the best cover man in the conference. Few teams like to challenge Zemaitis, but he has NFL-type skills and will almost certainly be playing on Sundays.

WR Derrick Williams -- The freshman may be the most important player on the Penn State offensive team. While he may need some time to get used to the demands of college football, his speed and explosiveness have been missing from the Nittany Lion program and Joe Paterno plans to take advantage of his speed.

RB Tony Hunt -- Not a superstar, but Hunt is a workmanlike back who can run between the tackles and will take what the defense gives him. By the fourth quarter, the South Florida defense could be giving quite a bit of ground.

ROSTER REPORT: DE Lavon Chisley will miss his senior season as a result of poor grades. ... WR Mark Rubin (ankle) will miss the full season. ... Sophomore LB Dan Connor (85 tackles in 2004) has been suspended indefinitely for his role in a series of prank phone calls.