Could there be a season that Joe Paterno wanted to start any more than this one, his 43rd as head coach at Penn State?

A turbulent off-season ended with one more headache when defensive tackles Chris Baker and Phil Taylor were given the heave-ho last week. No reason was given for their dismissal, but it was just the latest off-the-field matter to garner headlines.

Since the conclusion of the 2007 season -- a not-so-memorable 9-4 campaign -- the reputation of the Nittany Lions has been marred by more brushes with the law, suspensions, expulsions, and an ESPN "Outside the Lines" report that painted the program as a renegade and Paterno as out of touch.

But with preseason practice set to begin Monday, there is always the chance to start anew. The season comes with reasonable expectations, after all, as the Lions return 17 starters. Their fate, however, could be linked to the 81-year-old Paterno, who is in the last year of his contract with no future reassurances.

With the action back on the field, here are five questions to ponder as Penn State kicks off 2008:

n 1. Who is going to win the quarterback job? Daryll Clark. That's the hunch. Not because Clark is better than Pat Devlin, but because he is next in line. Clark, a senior, patiently waited behind Anthony Morelli for two seasons and will be rewarded with the starting job -- at least at the start.

Paterno has said a decision would not be made until sometime during the preseason. But it was essentially cast when Clark was used -- to great effect -- in the Alamo Bowl and when it was announced in January that the Lions would once again employ a spread offense.

n 2. Who will replace the injured Sean Lee at outside linebacker? On the most recent depth chart, Bani Gbadyu was slated to fill in for Lee, who suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the spring. But there are a few variables that could shake things up.

For one, if Josh Hull is indeed the starter in the middle, Chris Colasanti is not going to be wasted as the No. 2 middle linebacker. More than likely, he will play some outside or split time with Hull -- or eventually win the job outright.

The other wild card is Navorro Bowman, who is still suspended from the team. If Bowman makes it back and serves some doghouse time, he should be in the mix by the time conference play starts.

n 3. With Baker and Taylor gone, what happens at defensive tackle? The tackle spot is thin now that the massive Baker and Taylor have exited.

Abe Koroma and Ollie Ogbu are the starters, but Jared Odrick and Tom McEowen should be part of the four-man rotation. Odrick's right ankle, dislocated last season, is close to 100 percent.

McEowen is moving back to his natural position after being switched to end in the spring.

n 4. Is Evan Royster ready to be the primary ballcarrier? It's funny how the optimism surrounding Royster leveled off after he got injured late last season and after word spread that redshirt freshman Stephon Green was a dazzler waiting in the wings. Still, Royster had a marvelous freshman season (82 carries for 513 yards and 5 touchdowns), considering that he hardly played until the sixth game and ran behind a 1,000-yard rusher in Rodney Kinlaw.

Royster has exceptional vision. What remains to be seen is how a traditional running back will fit in with the so-called "Spread HD" offense. Although slight (5-foot-10 and 189 pounds), the swift Green is perhaps better suited to run in space.