STATE COLLEGE — Penn State’s 2021 Media Day is finally here and James Franklin, the Nittany Lions’ eighth-year coach, met with the press at lunch time Saturday afternoon.

With PSU coming off a 4-5 season, here are some takeaways from Franklin’s news conference at Beaver Stadium:

* The interior of Penn State’s offensive line is a bit unsettled, but Franklin mentioned the names of three players who likely will see plenty of time.

Rasheed Walker and Caedan Wallace are back as the starting offensive tackles. All-Big Ten guard Mike Miranda, whom Franklin singled out, is expected to move to center to replace Michal Menet. Miranda is a definite starter and one of the top players at his position in the Big Ten.

So who will be the guards? The first two names Franklin mentioned were Juice Scruggs, a key reserve last season, and Anthony Whigan. Another contender is Eric Wilson, a transfer from Harvard who was a standout player in the Ivy League in 2018 and 2019.

* Penn State’s opening test at Wisconsin just got more difficult with the Adisa Isaac news.

Isaac, a third-year defensive end, is expected to miss the season with an undisclosed injury suffered during the offseason. Franklin didn’t offer any details, but Isaac was a contender to start. Wisconsin, which hosts the Lions on Sept. 4, is known for its physical offensive line play. The Lions are replacing first-team All-Big Ten ends Shaka Toney and Odafe Oweh.

Without Isaac, expect Penn State to turn to converted linebacker Nick Tarburton, who had a strong spring, and Temple transfer Arnold Ebiketie.

Franklin said the 6-3, 256-pound Ebiketie, a standout defender for the Owls in 2020, has earned “rave reviews since he showed up on campus.”

* Franklin is excited about new coordinator Mike Yurcich’s offense but is realistic about how quickly it must come together.

The Lions’ season-opening road date at Wisconsin is one of the most challenging games on the 2021 schedule.

“It (had) better be early,” Franklin said, referring to offensive success.

“When the players see that game to open the season, it has an impact. We need to be shooting on all cylinders come Week 1.”

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