By JOSH STROPE

For The Times Leader

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — After years trying to rebuild from the Jerry Sandusky scandal, Penn State finally looks to be back among the nation’s elite programs.

The Nittany Lions won the Big Ten and went to the Rose Bowl last season and enter 2017 ranked No. 6 in the preseason Amway Coaches Top 25 Poll.

That doesn’t mean things will go smooth for Coach James Franklin and his squad. Penn State is one of four Big Ten teams ranked in the top 10 as well as Ohio State (2), Michigan (9) and Wisconsin (10).

The road to the College Football Playoff will definitely come through Happy Valley.

The Nittany Lions return every starter on offense and bring back plenty of experience on the defensive side of the ball, too.

Running back Saquon Barkley is being looked at as a Heisman Trophy candidate and one of the top picks in next year’s NFL Draft.

In the Rose Bowl loss to USC, Barkley rushed for 194 and two touchdowns. A junior, he ranks 12th in school history with 2,572 career rushing yards, including 1,496 last season.

Backing him up is sophomore Miles Sanders.

It won’t all be on Barkley’s shoulders as quarterback Trace McSorley is also being looked at as a possible Heisman hopeful.

McSorley threw for a school-record 3,614 yards with 29 touchdowns and eight picks. His 16.1 yards per completion led the nation. His backed up by sophomore Tommy Stevens.

Leading the pass catchers will be tight end Mike Gesicki, whose 679 yards as a junior were the most ever by Penn State tight end.

The receivers will be DaeSean Hamilton, Saeed Blacknall, DeAndre Thompkins, Juwan Johnson, Irvin Charles and Brandon Polk.

Penn State returns four starters along the offensive line in tackles Andrew Nelson, Brendan Mahon, guards Ryan Bates and Steven Gonzalez. Connor McGovern will play center. Michal Menet and Chasz Wright will also play.

Eight of the top tacklers are back for Penn State.

Along the defensive line, Torrence Brown, Shareef Miller and Ryan Buchholz are vying for the starting end spots, with seniors Parker Cothren and Curtis Cothran back at tackle.

Manny Bowen, Cam Brown and Jason Cabinda will make up the linebackers.

The secondary is the most experienced unit, led by three seniors in corners Christian Campbell and Grant Haley, and free safety Marcus Allen. Redshirt sophomore Ayron Monroe will start at strong safety.

Blake Gillikin will be the punter and Tyler Davis is the placekicker.

Penn State spoiled Ohio State’s Big Ten title hopes with a 24-21 victory at Beaver Stadium. This year, the Nittany Lions will have to go to Ohio Stadium with the Buckeyes having revenge on their mind.

A dangerous trip to Michigan State is also on the schedule.

Coming to Happy Valley will be Michigan, Nebraska and in-state rival Pittsburgh. Penn State opens with three straight home games, including the Sept. 2 opener against Akron.