Unlike the last two seasons, both the secondary and the defensive line return a good number of starters. With a balance of experience across each, the defense looks to be stronger than in the past few years.
The special teams will need to return to form after an up and down year that spanned from two blocked two field goals in one game to botching numerous kicks.
1. Can the Quakers finally solidify the kicking game?
Probably. You can't say Al Bagnoli wasn't aware of the problem; he brought in three freshman kickers this year, which even he acknowledged as "unheard-of." The chances that they all flop - as former kicker Derek Zoch eventually did - are pretty slim.
Bagnoli has decided to go with Andrew Samson for field goals. Time will tell if the frosh can deal with the pres sure of the Ivy League, but unlike Zoch h e did have to win an internal battle for the position.
And it's not just the kicker that needed to improve, as was discovered in the games against Princeton and Cornell last year. Penn has had trouble with the blocking, snapping, and holding aspects as well. The Quakers can hope that a year of experience will do Ted Rosenbaum good, and that Braden Lepisto will continue his good work on special teams.
But as we learned last year, you can't be sure the field goal's good until you see it go through the uprights.
2. Will Penn's secondary emerge now that it's aged a year?
You would think so - but it's not a lock. Last year a pass-defense unit featuring Tyson Maugle, Jordan Manning and Greg Ambrogi was one of the big question marks going into the year.
After a season of ups and downs, everyone but senior Scotty Williams has returned. But the questions are still lingering.
Still another emerged when this week's two-deep chart was released and Ambrogi, one of the weakest links, had given way to Chris Wynn.
Wynn's a familiar name because of last year's touchdown kick return, but his aptitude as a go-to cover corner is an open question.
But Penn can probably expect an improved output, particularly from Maugle, who led the pack in interceptions last year.
3. Will Mike McLeod run over the Penn defense?
You may have spent last season hearing about Clifton Dawson and his chase to break the All-time Ivy rushing and rushing touchdown records.
But Yale's McLeod, a junior now, was also making some waves himself in the background.
He, not Dawson, led the league in rushing yards, compiling 1,364 last season.
Last year, McLeod had 122 yards against the Quakers on 29 carries. Sixth in the league last season, Penn will need to work on its rush defense to stay in the game against teams like Yale with a formidable running option. Luke Siwula, Cornell's leading rusher, may also pose a threat for the Quakers' line.
4. Will there be any more kick-blocking antics?
The two blocks in the game against Lafayette last season were the work of the graduated J.J. Stanton and Scott Williams, so they won't be coming from them.
After that game last season, Bagnoli had said that his team practices that maneuver and the team and is always out looking for the block.
Bagnoli's squad has a history with blocked attempts as well, compiling five in 2005, so expect more to be in store this year.
5. How will the defensive line cope with the loss of J.J. Stanton?
Probably pretty well, actually. Honorable mention all-Ivy Tom Stone and first team All-Ivy noseguard Naheem Harris return for the Quakers .
Harris had 24 tackles, including seven for a loss, and three sacks and Stone was pacing with him, finishing with 21 take downs.
The only newbie will be sophomore Joe Gonviprow, who, from what Bagnoli has said, is prepared to step into the starting role.
