Bowl season is a long way away. We'll see how things work out. Personally, I think the defense is going to be fine. By season's end, it could be better as a unit. I fully expect the linebackers and secondary to be better regardless. The questions are up front. If Chavis delivers at nose tackle, the unit takes a half step back at worst. Offensively, I have questions. The 14/15 Penn State offense was the worst coached unit in America but a new man is in charge, a position coached has switched positions, one position coach is gone, his replacement looks like an upgrade. I don't see they new (sort of) staff putting the players into positions to fail nearly as often as the old one. Hopefully not at all. I don't see a playoff birth this year but State could see a 9 or 10 win season. Maybe 11 as a realistic best case scenario. I could also see something worse.
Right now, assuming Stevens is the starting QB, State heads to the Holiday, Outback or Citrus Bowls.