It’s finally here, folks.

Penn State opens its season Saturday against West Virginia at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. In the first year of the expanded College Football Playoff, the Nittany Lions are facing immense pressure to earn their spot in the 12-team field.

Before that, though, James Franklin and Co. first have to get past the Mountaineers. Here’s everything you need to know about today’s season opener.

Television

After being the featured FOX game twice last year, Penn State will open the 2024 season on the network for Big Noon Kickoff. Gus Johnson will provide the play-by-play while Joel Klatt will provide color commentary with Jenny Taft as the sideline reporter.

Radio

Penn State Sports Network — Steve Jones and Jack Hamm
Local: 99.5 & 103.7 FM/ 1450 AM, Sirius/XM/Internet: 83/83/80

Weather

Saturday will be a mix of clouds and sun with an 86% chance of precipitation and a high of 86º, according to AccuWeather. There is also a chance of a late thunderstorm, which could delay the football game.

Last Meeting

Penn State opened its season last year at home against West Virginia, winning 38-15. In his debut as the starting quarterback, Drew Allar racked up 325 yards and three touchdowns.

Injuries

Over the offseason, Franklin said both quarterback Jaxon Smolik and wide receiver Peter Gonzalez suffered “long-term” injuries and would miss significant time. On Monday, Franklin said wide receiver and punt returner Kaden Saunders was dealing with some “bumps and bruises,” but was hopeful for Saturday’s game.

Betting Lines

The Nittany Lions are -8.5-point favorites over West Virginia with a -316 moneyline, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. The over/under is set at 51.5 points.

Media Coverage

Onward State will have you covered throughout today’s game. Find big plays, analysis, photos, and more on our main Twitter account @OnwardState as well as play-by-play commentary from @OnwardStSports.

Football writers CJ Doebler (@CDoebler) and Mitch Corcoran (@MitchCorc18) will provide you with coverage from inside the press box, while Nolan Wick (@nolan_wick) will do the same from State College.

Photographers Hailey Stutzman (@stutzhailey) and Mikey DeAngelis (@mikey_deangelis) will provide visual updates from the field.

Onward State

• Previewing The Enemy: West Virginia Mountaineers
• Car Games To Play On Your Road Trip To West Virginia
• Staff Predictions: No. 8 Penn State Vs. West Virginia
• ‘We’re Expecting Him To Have A Big Year’: James Franklin Praises Omari Evans
• KJ Winston Relishing Penn State Football Captaincy
• Staff Picks: Predicting Penn State Football’s 2024 Breakout Players
• Penn State Football 2024 Season Prop Bets
• Staff Predictions: Penn State Football’s 2024 Record
• 15 Former Penn State Football Players Released By NFL Teams
• Staff Picks: Predicting Penn State Football’s 2024 Season MVP
• Penn State Football’s Offensive Line Taking Shape Before 2024 Season
• Projecting Penn State Football’s 2024 Starting Lineup: Special Teams
• Two Penn State Football Freshmen To Burn Redshirt Status
• ‘We Are Doing Everything We Can’: Penn State Football Prepares For Hostile West Virginia Atmosphere
• News & Notes From James Franklin’s Week One Press Conference
• Projecting Penn State Football’s 2024 Starting Lineup: Offensive Line & Tight Ends
• Projecting Penn State Football’s 2024 Starting Lineup: Secondary
• Projecting Penn State Football’s 2024 Starting Lineup: Defensive Front Seven
• Projecting Penn State Football’s 2024 Starting Lineup: Quarterback, Running Back, & Wide Receivers
• ‘We’ve Taken Some Significant Steps’: James Franklin Happy As Preseason Camp Closes
• [Photo Story] Penn State Football’s 2024 Picture Day
• Penn State Football Announces 2024 Team Captains
• Penn State Football Wide Receiver Peter Gonzalez Suffers Long-Term Injury
• ‘He’s Been A Pleasant Surprise’: Alonzo Ford Jr. Makes Return To Penn State Football
• Penn State Football Linebacker Kobe King Named To Butkus Award Watch List
• Penn State Football’s Abdul Carter & KJ Winston Named To Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List
• Penn State Football No. 8 In Preseason AP Poll
• Penn State Football Tight End Tyler Warren Named To Mackey Award Watch List
• Penn State Football Freshmen Tyseer Denmark & Cooper Cousins Turning Heads In Fall Camp
• Penn State Football Quarterback Drew Allar Named To Davey O’Brien Award Watch List
• Penn State Football Offensive Line Sets High Expectations
• Penn State Football’s Nick Singleton & Kaytron Allen Named To Doak Walker Award Watch List
• Four Nittany Lions Named Top College Football ‘Freaks’
• Penn State Football Kicker Sander Sahaydak Fighting For New Chance Year After West Virginia Mishap
• Penn State Football’s Young Linebackers Emerging As Promising Pieces
• Penn State Football Surprise Freshman Max Granville Impresses Staff Ahead Of First Season
• Penn State Football Quarterbacks Finding Roles Under OC Andy Kotelnicki
• Penn State Football Defensive Back Depth Presenting Opportunities
• Julian Fleming Using Experience To Help Penn State Football’s Wide Receivers
• News & Notes From Penn State Football’s 2024 Media Day
• West Virginia Calls For ‘Stripe The Stadium’ Against Penn State Football
• Penn State Football Preparing For Defensive Adjustments As New Big Ten Dawns
• ‘Let’s Be Honest, I Hear It’: Marques Hagans & Penn State Football Wide Receivers Training For Comeback
• Quinton Martin Jr. Competing For Playing Time After Blue-White Game Performance
• Penn State Football Defensive Ends In Good Hands Despite NFL Losses
• Penn State Football Quarterback Drew Allar Displays Offensive Chemistry In Blue-White Game