Answers:
1) Yes, AOC is very accurate. Given time, he can pick a team apart. Knock him around a bit and he'll toss a pick or two. B1G writers put him at #2 QB in the league and he has a great winning attitude. Never gives up and never pouts even in game when it isn't going well (TN last December bowl comes to mind).
2) Solid group of players overall. No NFL type of DE like Karlaftis yet, but there are good DE's with a FR being tabbed as a future NFL caliber and will see the field (Nic Caraway). DL has depth so that will help in rotations and being fresh late in the game. Unlike early Brohm years when any team with a running game would get 25-300+ yards against us. There are some quality players that may have NFL opportunities. Jalen Graham, Cory Trice, Lawrence Johnson come to mind.
What about your team? Offense, Defense and how you think it will play out?
I'm just one person, so take it all with a grain of salt. I'll try to be brief.
Offense
Penn State couldn't run the ball last year against anybody. I do expect them to be better, but that's mostly because they can't get worse. If PSU has an
average run game, it'll be a big improvement.
The passing game was fine, even good, last year until defenses realized they didn't have to respect the run. The TEs were all highly recruited, but haven't put it together on the field yet. WR Parker Washington is very good, and the entire 2-deep at WR is at least solid. Clifford is back for his 14th year. He's fine...average to above average at everything, great at nothing. If there's one thing that might surprise opposing fans, it's that he's pretty athletic running the ball. He's not Trace McSorley, but he can pick up a few first downs on a broken play when necessary.
Defense
I'm very high on the DBs. I think most Penn State fans would agree that last year was our best secondary in the B1G era. We lost two starters, but overall I think the secondary is still very good.
The DL should be very good, although two starters are coming back from season ending injuries a year ago. If they pick up where they left off, it'll be one of the better DLs in the conference. If not, then things get a little iffy.
LB Curtis Jacobs is very good, but the other two LB positions are very questionable. Luckily, since Purdue passes the ball a lot, we'll be in the 4-2-5 pretty often, replacing a questionable LB position with another good DB.
STs
Replacing all punting/kicking this year, so for the most part, who knows. The presumed FG kicker, Jake Pinegar, has been around awhile and has missed multiple short FGs and at least one PAT. So in a close game, that's something to keep an eye on.
Overall / How does it play out?
I'm optimistic about Penn State's defense. AOC seems to be very good, but even Ohio State only scored 26 against Penn State last year (excluding a defensive TD). It's hard for me to see PSU giving up more than that. So the question comes down to offense, and the OL/RBs. Can they be at least average? If so, I like what Clifford and the WRs/TEs can do. If not, well...there's a reason PSU's offense finished 72nd in the SP+ last year. I'm guessing it'll be a first-to-20-wins type of game, since the best unit of the field will be PSU's defense, and the worst will be PSU's offense.
Since my head isn't sure, I'm going with my heart and saying 23-20 PSU.