Just a little over a week ago, the Big Ten announced its decision, allowing league members to play football this fall. That decision came 37 days after the conference initially cancelled fall sports for the 2020 season, but pressure from parents, players and coaches to play, and other Power Five conferences in the ACC, Big 12 and SEC - which were already committed to playing - forced Big Ten President Kevin Warren to hold another vote, with the decision being unanimous to play football starting the weekend of Oct. 23-24.

I could type out three columns worth of frustration on how the Big Ten fumbled this entire process, which in turn has given its teams not much wiggle room, having to play nine games in nine weeks to fit into the College Football Playoff picture, but as most of you know who read this column, I tend to stay on the positive and optimistic side of things.

A huge positive at the moment is that Penn State football will be played this season and it will be played less than a month from now. In the upcoming weeks, I’ll continue to preview the 2020 Nittany Lions’ football team with my usual depth chart prediction, schedule breakdown and recruiting updates. This week, with Penn State now in preseason camp mode, let’s take a look at who I think will be starting for the Penn State offense this season.

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QUARTEBACK … Redshirt (RS) junior Sean Clifford returns after a solid sophomore campaign and his first year starting under center for Penn State. Clifford threw for 2,654 yards, 23 touchdowns and just seven interceptions and also rushed for 402 yards and five scores. Newly acquired offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca’s RPO offense - along with a strong rushing attack - will be a great support system for Clifford and could lead to a big year for him. Redshirt sophomore Will Levis is also a highly regarded talent at QB and will serve as the primary backup.

RUNNING BACK … One of the strongest position groups on the team and in the country. This group will be led by RS junior Journey Brown, who burst onto the scene last season, rushing for 890 yards and 12 scores, averaging almost seven yards per carry. Highly-recruited sophomore running backs Noah Cain and Devyn Ford will also get carries, with Cain probably serving as the thunder to Brown’s lightning as he rushed for 443 yards and eight touchdowns last season. Four-star recruits Caziah Holmes and Keyvone Lee out of Florida could also see some time. This room is stacked.

WIDE RECEIVER … This is a position group that needs to take a step forward this season. Pat Freiermuth is widely considered to be one of the best tight ends in the country and will bring some stability to the passing/catching department, but the Nittany Lions will need a few guys to step up. Jahan Dotson should be the top weapon, operating from the slot. Dotson caught 27 balls for 488 yards and five touchdowns last season. RS sophomore Daniel George will need to take big strides on the outside as well as RS junior Cam Sullivan-Brown. RS freshmen TJ Jones and John Dunmore could be breakout candidates and true freshmen KeAndre Lambert-Smith and Parker Washington have impressed as well.

TIGHT END … No surprise here, All-American tight end Pat Freiermuth leads this group, catching 43 balls for 507 yards and seven scores. He has 15 career touchdowns in his career. The second tight end spot will be up for grabs with the departure of Nick Bowers. RS sophomore Zack Kuntz and RS freshman Brenton Strange are expected to battle for that position with true freshman Theo Johnson also expected to see some snaps.

OFFENSIVE LINE … This should be the most talented offensive line that head coach James Franklin has had in what will be his seventh season at the helm for the Nittany Lions. There is plenty of experience returning led by veterans Michal Menet (C), Will Fries (RT) and Mike Miranda (LG). CJ Thorpe (RG) and Rasheed Walker (LT) also return. Penn State has also successfully developed its offensive line depth to two deep at each position. Des Holmes (LT), Sal Wormley (LG) and Anthony Whigan (RG) will also all see playing time throughout the season.