College football is back in all its glory, and for Penn State and many other would-be contenders across America, the rites of Fall have been renewed. The Nittany Lions began the journey of 2024 on the road for a statement game that told everyone from the legions of ludicrously overconfident Mountaineer fans to the doubting Thomases on this very program to the likes of Nick Saban, Urban Meyer, and Pat McAfee to shove it up their ass. And if the histrionics of suddenly-demonstrative quarterback Drew Allar, not to mention a few unfortunate snippets of live audio that served as a cautionary tale for the perils of live television, are any indication, they were a lot less polite about it.

Optimism is running high, and the guys break down the many positives plus a handful of improvement opportunities coming out of Penn State's 34-12 pasting of West Virginia in Morgantown.

HOSTED BY: Brandon Noble, Mike "The Mailman" Herr, Kevin Horne, Chris Buchignani

Once again Chris is joined by fellow LION 90.7fm alum, former FIU and Miami Hurricanes broadcaster Mike Levine, to analyze the Nittany Lions roster in two installments, this time turning to the defense. Like the their counterparts on offense, the 2024 Nittany Lions D will be guided by a new coordinator, former Indiana head coach Tom Allen, who will be charged with continuing the tradition of great Penn State defense upheld so capably by now-Duke coach Manny Diaz. With playmakers at every level and a nice mix of young stars, returning talent, and promising portal additions, this group looks prepared to do just that.

HOSTED BY: Chris Buchignani

GUESTS: Mike Levine

Per Obligatory tradition, one of our most popular features returns: the Penn State football preview in which Chris enlists the assistance of fellow LION 90.7fm alum, former FIU and Miami Hurricanes broadcaster Mike Levine, to analyze the Nittany Lions roster in two installments, beginning with the offense. As undergrads, they brought their half dozen listeners such unforgettable gems as Joe Paterno's record-breaking 324th career win versus Ohio State and such forgettable disappointments as most other games in the 2001 season. Now they unpack the offensive talent set to take the field this season. New offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki is charged with coaxing more productivity and explosivity from an offense that faltered in the biggest moments last season. Can a supporting cast of promising offensive lineman, talented tight ends, and excellent running backs help lift up a blue-chip quarterback dogged by skeptics and a group of receivers with a lot to prove?

HOSTED BY: Chris Buchignani

GUESTS: Mike Levine

On the cusp of another season of Nittany Lions football, the guys get together to discuss their dreams, aspirations, and fears for this year's team. Can new coordinators Andy Kotelnicki and Tom Allen bring the fresh perspective that jolts this squad into a higher gear? Will the talented depth so meticulously stockpiled through recruiting bear fruit? Has Drew Allar maximized the offseason to progress as a player and leader? What perils lie in wait over a schedule that appears manageable yet includes several difficult road trips? Does James Franklin have what it takes to finally finish a regular season with fewer than two losses? Is this season, when it comes down to it, "Playoffs or Bust?"

Dumb answers to these questions and many more await.

HOSTED BY: Brandon Noble, Mike "The Mailman" Herr, Kevin Horne, Chris Buchignani

From the 12-team playoff to the "green dot," the 2024 college football season promises plenty of changes, large and small. As Penn State's opening kickoff in Morgantown approaches, the guys pause to reflect on all the newness coming to the sport this year and speculate about how it all might turn out. They share plenty of (occasionally insightful) thoughts on Year One for the expanded playoff, new conferences that are more geographically nonsensical than ever, and on-field additions like coach-to-player helmet comms, iPads on the sidelines, and an NFL-style two-minute warning. Will the flame of our love for the definitely new and arguably improved version of the sport still burn brightly, or could so much change happening so quickly extinguish the flame?

HOSTED BY: Brandon Noble, Mike "The Mailman" Herr, Kevin Horne, Chris Buchignani

Are you frustrated because the Nittany Lions appear to be losing out on recruits, at home in PA and across the country, because Old State can't seem to meet their lofty financial demands? Are you confused because even though we're nearly half a decade into the "NIL era," it still makes very little sense to you? Are you disappointed because you sense that Penn State's shortcomings in the NIL space may be costing the team otherwise winnable games? Maybe you're angry because after such a loss, an anonymous fan account or beat writer insinuated it was YOUR fault for being too cheap to donate to NIL. On the other hand, perhaps you're upset because you imagine an aging cadre of Paterno-loving millionaires is sadistically withholding their cash while desperately clinging to an increasingly-remote past.

Even today, anyone who calls themselves an "NIL expert" is probably lying, so we make no claims on concrete answers on any of the above or the many other related issues not mentioned. Chris and Kevin do their best to have a thoughtful, wide-ranging conversation that offers some fresh perspective on one of the most potent forces currently reshaping the sport of college football.

Remember, the best way to support our efforts here on the pod is to join the For The Blogy Donors Club. Join today: www.fortheblogy.com/club

HOSTED BY: Kevin Horne, Chris Buchignani

Hey folks. Great news (maybe). If you’re reading this, it’s probably at least good news: The most lovable, least reliable Penn State podcast on earth is back, and this our promise to you - we’ll be here for every week, at least once per week, from now until at least the end of the calendar year, all thanks to the support of the awesome folks at ForTheBlogy.com, the website and YouTube channel that brings you some of the best and most original coverage of the Nittany Lions out there.

The best way to support our efforts here on the pod is to join the For The Blogy Donors Club. For a small, one-time donation of 10 dollars, you help us keeping this pod running, and allow For The Blogy to keep its YouTube and website content from going behind a paywall. And, best of all, as a thanks for your generosity, For The Blogy will send you a custom bottle koozie for your Saturday tailgates.

So to join, go to www.fortheblogy.com/club today.

In their latest return to this podcast, all four of the core Obligatory crew - Brandon Noble, Mike the Mailman, Kevin Horne, and Chris B. - take a look back at the personal journeys that led each of them to a lifetime of devotion and love for Dear Old State, and they relay an abridged version of how their paths converged to create a Penn State pregame show that has continued for nearly a decade. For any new arrivals out there, it's a solid introduction to the cast of characters who'll share their drunken reactions to Penn State football throughout the season, while returning fans will get answers to the burning questions they never knew they had - like, "how much does a six-pack of decent beer cost in Germany?"

Here's to another season of Nittany Lions football; can't wait to share the ride. #WeAre

HOSTED BY: Brandon Noble, Mike "The Mailman" Herr, Kevin Horne, Chris Buchignani

Penn State wrapped up another 10-2 regular season that was, yes, in some respects a failure - a failure to achieve the lofty goals that were set justifiably high at the season's outset - but also represents a rarified outcome among all Power 5 programs. The guys look back on the how the 2023 campaign ended and discuss the future for the Nittany Lions and all of college football as we head into Championship weekend.

HOSTED BY: Brandon Noble, Mike "The Mailman" Herr, Kevin Horne, Chris Buchignani