Penn State Football: 5 Reasons to Be Optimistic for 2012

Penn State finished the 2011 regular season with a 9-3 record followed by a TicketCity Bowl loss to the Houston Cougars.

Despite Penn State's late-season slide, there are reasons to be excited for what lies ahead.

The Nittany Lions return talent on both sides of the ball, and get a few key players back from injury.

Penn State may not be ready to win the Big Ten title, but if things fall into place, they could overachieve again in 2012.

Here are five reasons to be optimistic about next season in Happy Valley:

Paul Jones

Paul Jones missed the entire 2011 season due to academic issues.

Jones is considered by many to be more talented than Rob Bolden and Matt McGloin. That's encouraging to Penn State fans. Both Bolden and McGloin struggled mightily in 2011.

A new coaching staff could get Jones out of the doghouse and back onto the gridiron.

The Nittany Lions need their quarterback situation to be rectified early, and they need talent behind center if they want to be successful next season.

Jones should have fans very excited as spring approaches at Penn State.

Another Year of Experience for Silas Redd

Silas Redd quietly became one of the best backs in college football this season.

Entering his junior season, Redd figures to be even better when Penn State takes the field next season.

Redd has a great blend of quickness and power because of his low center of gravity. He runs well between the tackles, and can break a run outside if given the open lane.

Penn State's offense doesn't have much to hang its hat on. Redd is a major weapon among mediocre talent.

Look for Redd to enter the season as a dark-horse Heisman Trophy contender.

Michael Mauti Is Healthy

Michael Mauti is arguably Penn State's best defensive player. The problem is, he has been hurt throughout his career.

Next season Mauti will get another shot at leading the Penn State defense. If his knees can hold up to the wear and tear, the Nittany Lion defense should be excellent again next season.

Mauti is a sideline-to-sideline presence. He has great instincts and understands how to read and diagnose offensive plays.

The Nittany Lions must replace several graduating contributors for next season. A healthy Mauti would make that task much easier.

Return of Pete Massaro

Pete Massaro missed the entire 2011 season with a torn ACL.

Massaro was Penn State's best pass-rusher in 2010, and figures to be again in 2012.

Jack Crawford and Eric Lattimore both graduate, as does interior force Devon Still. That leaves a lot of empty space on Penn State's defensive front.

The Nittany Lions must get pressure on the quarterback to be successful next season. Sean Stanley will do his part on the edge and Jordan Hill will hold down the fort in the middle.

The other end spot should go to Massaro. He is a veteran presence, and will add talent to Penn State's front seven.

New Coaching Staff

Some Penn State fans may not be optimistic about a new coaching staff. They should be, even if it's just for one reason.

A new coaching staff dawns a new era in Happy Valley. It is the first step toward stepping out of the shadows of Jerry Sandusky's sex scandal.

The Nittany Lions had a roller-coaster season. Bringing new faces to the sidelines, and doing away with the old faces will turn over a new leaf and bring a new attitude to Penn State football.

Penn State is trying to land on their feet amid horrific controversy. Finding the next head coach would be a major step in that direction.