Just 26 days from today, Penn State will take the field in Beaver Stadium for its opening game of the season against Idaho. Saturday, the Nittany Lions hosted their annual media day, where coaches and players gave a glimpse into how the summer session played out and a preview of what’s to come for the season.

There are a ton of intriguing storylines heading into the 2019 season. Who will be the starting quarterback? Will the offensive line take that next step? Who will start at the other safety spot?

But the big question that is always on everyone’s mind still remains ... Can Penn State get to the next level, where it’s competing for a College Football Playoff spot year in and year out? The talent is there; now the Nittany Lions need to take that talent and win on the field.

Look for my Penn State of Mind columns over the next few weeks where I will break down the depth chart and schedule.

But first, let’s go over some of the main topics of discussion during media day.

YOUNG BUT TALENTED ... With just 10 seniors currently on the Penn State roster, there is no doubt that this team is young and lacks some experience. The good news is a lot of those young players were counted on to play last season, so it could end up actually benefiting the Nittany Lions this season.

“Obviously, the positives with young players is that you’ve got a bunch of guys that are hungry and are excited and that have something to really prove and got a chip on their shoulder,” said Penn State head coach James Franklin. “I don’t think there’s any doubt about that. Obviously, the negatives, are you lack experience, and experience counts and experience matters. There’s no doubt about it. Obviously for us, we’re focused on all the positives, but we have an awareness, obviously, of the challenges that come with it.”

BATTLE AT QUARTERBACK ... Franklin’s approach to the summer and preseason camp is that there is always an open competition at every starting position. With the graduation of Trace McSorley, Franklin said it will be an open competition between redshirt sophomore Sean Clifford and redshirt freshman Will Levis. Clifford is presumed to win the job after backing up McSorley last season, but Levis has worked hard and is reportedly not making the decision that easy.

“So you know, for us, every single position, we are going to compete like crazy and give everybody opportunities to try to increase their role or to try to win a job, whatever that may be or whatever that may look like,” said Franklin. “And we’ll make the decision at the time that it’s most appropriate for our team, but then also most appropriate for that guy as well, because there’s also leadership components that come with that position.”

SAFETY VALVE ... One safety spot is already locked down with Garrett Taylor solidifying that position. But there is a host of guys competing for the other safety spot, with that battle being between junior Lamont Wade, junior Jaquan Brisker (transfer from Lackawanna College) and redshirt sophomore Jonathan Sutherland. Right now, it looks as if Wade is the leader, but there’s no doubt that both Brisker and Sutherland will be on the field this season.

“We went into spring ball feeling like we had some question marks at safety, but then after spring, we felt like we were probably a little bit further along there than we thought,” said Franklin. “So I think we are going into this thing with a lot of confidence in our secondary; Garrett Taylor has had a great summer. He looks unbelievable. He’s as lean and explosive and as fast as he’s been, and he obviously has tremendous experience. And obviously, that other position with Lamont Wade, Jaquan Brisker, Jonathan Sutherland, a number of guys that have played, and also we think have a chance to make an impact for us.”

IN THE TRENCHES ... The play of the offensive line has been heavily scrutinized over the past few years, even with its steady improvements. In tough losses last season to Ohio State and Michigan State, many believed that if the offensive line would’ve been able to play better in the fourth quarter, Penn State could’ve won those games. Is this the year the Nittany Lions can take the next step up front? That’s still a big question on everyone’s minds. PSU did lose two starters from last season in tackle Ryan Bates and guard/center Connor McGovern, but return three starters and a bunch of players who saw significant time in 2018. There’s no denying this is a talented bunch.

“I think the key is that these guys are playing with confidence, and they take ownership of their play out there on the field,” said offensive line coach Matt Limegrover. “When I first got here, there was kind of a shell around the offensive line group, they were really always playing in the defensive position. Now, after improving every year and coming into our own, we’re more in attack mode now.”

WILD DOG PACKAGE ... The Penn State defensive linemen are called the “Wild Dogs” — a term coined by defensive line coach Sean Spencer. Second-year linebacker standout Micah Parsons could be moving to the edge on certain packages this season. Parsons was an explosive pass rusher in high school, and now that he’s more experienced at linebacker, expect to see him getting the opportunity to get after the quarterback this season.

“I’m excited; I think our linebackers are really going to get after it this year,” said Parsons. “Coach Pry is going to let us off the leash at times, and I’m telling you my teammates are talking trash. Some of our defensive ends are always busting me about sacks, when they get more opportunities to rush the passer. I’m excited; I think I can get some more sacks this season. We got a “Wild Dog” package this year that is really going to utilize our speed at linebacker. They’re bringing all the sauce out.”