QBs still in focus as Penn State preps for opener vs. Syracuse; O'Brien doesn't name starter

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – Coach Bill O'Brien didn't need to be asked the question. He knew everyone wanted to hear about his decision regarding Penn State's Week 1 starting quarterback, so he opened his weekly press conference with the hot topic, before anyone could even ask about it.

Not that he answered the question, or anything, but he did broach the subject at least.

"I want to address the quarterback situation. I feel like what I try to do every week, along with our staff, is do what's best for our football team," O'Brien said, "and, as of right now, you'll find out who the quarterback is on the first play of the game."

O'Brien and the Nittany Lions open up a season of promise Saturday against Syracuse at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., and the quarterback situation remains unsettled — at least in the public eye — with five days before kickoff. On Monday, when Penn State released its depth chart, it listed sophomore Tyler Ferguson or Christian Hackenberg.