‘Linebacker U’ has a problem at the linebacker position in 2008. That, essentially, is what Penn State’s Joe Paterno admitted earlier this week, and he is correct. For the first time in a very long time, the Nittany Lions do not have a big-time, playmaker at the spot and that will almost certainly undermine any plans of contending for the Big Ten Conference title this fall.

“If I had to put a ‘one, two, three’ on my question marks (coming into the season), the first one on the defense would be linebackers,” Paterno said.

It’s nothing personal against the three projected starters, but who is really getting excited with the prospect of fielding players like Josh Hull, Tyrell Sales and Bani Gbadyu -- especially after the position has been recently anchored by three of the greatest linebackers in PSU’s storied history?

“There was a time when we lined up (Paul) Posluszny, (Dan) Connor and (Sean) Lee,” Paterno said. “We've got a bunch of kids that are really going to be good, but there are a lot of things they're going to have to adjust to.”

In other words, there is no Connors or Lees in the mix right now. Connor and Posluszny are in the NFL and Lee is sidelined for the season while recovering from a knee injury. A fifth-year senior, Sales is the lone returning starter, but he’s had a largely unimpressive college career. Hull has made great strides and is a tough, determined player, but he is, after all, a former walk on. Gbadyu showed flashes of promise as a freshman last season, but he will be making his first college start in Saturday’s opener.

The young backups, like Chris Colasanti, Navorro Bowman and Michael Mauti are very promising prospects, but are probably a year away from making an impact. That’s when Lee is expected to return fir his senior season.

As you can see, the future looks pretty bright. The present, however, is a major concern. – NEIL GEOGHEGAN.