Today's Penn State football news features a bold prediction regarding the Nittany Lions' 2017 record and news on a top recruit set to visit campus.

College Football Analytics, using ratings that "are based off of the Pythagorean Expectation Theorem and calculated with the adjusted offensive and defensive scoring efficiencies," picks PSU to finish the season undefeated at 12-0 thanks to a roughly 11-point win over Pittsburgh, a one-point victory over Michigan, and a 42-32 win over Ohio State in October, among other outcomes.

More on the site's projections:

"All scoring efficiencies are adjusted to reflect home field advantage and the strength of the competition. The adjusted scoring efficiencies for offense and defense are shown as well as the offense and defense of the given team's opponents that culminates with a total strength of schedule calculation."

The site also projects Alabama, USC, and Washington to finish unbeaten, and a different outlet, Athlon Sports, also predicts that the Lions will run the table in the regular season as one of its five outrageous Big Ten predictions.

In other preseason news, Lions247 writes that Penn State is enjoying its most competitive camp of the James Franklin era, while Fight On State has a fun breakdown of the back-and-forth in practice between back Saquon Barkley and line coach Sean Spencer.

Elsewhere, Land of 10 reports top 2019 defensive lineman Antonio Alfano has plans to visit Penn State this fall, Philly.com looks at the program's best running backs of all-time, and NFL.com ranks PSU at No. 14 in its top-25 rundown of college programs with the most NFL-caliber talent.

Those stories and more headline Thursday's Lions links.

2017 game-by-game predictions: College Football Analytics

Penn State's Sean Spencer on Harrisburg's Damion Barber: 'The guy did what he had to do to get here': Flounders [PennLive]

5-star DT Antonio Alfano plans to visit Happy Valley for game: Donahue [Land of 10]

Penn State D-line coach Sean Spencer talks Lions' dynamic duo, his 'fifth man', Yetur Gross-Matos, more: Flounders [PennLive]

Who are the top 10 Penn State running backs of all-time?: Juliano [Philly.com]

In most competitive camp in three years, Penn State's Saquon Barkley is thriving, teaching as season nears: Pickel [PennLive]

Outrageous College Football Predictions for the Big Ten in 2017: Scott [Athlon Sports]

Penn State's Saquon Barkley on his ESPN Sport Science experience: Hermitt [PennLive]

Penn State football's defensive line starting to take form: Martell [Daily Collegian]

When could Penn State's first Class of 2018 recruit sign a NLI? NCAA releases details on December signing period: Pickel [PennLive]

Running back Saquon Barkley even gives PSU defensive line coach nightmares: Molinari [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

Two Penn State players land on Sports Illustrated's preseason All-America teams: Pickel [PennLive]

Lions enjoying most competitive camp of Franklin era: Callahan [Lions247]

Damion Barber says 'it's like a dream come true' to be off to Penn State: Pickel [PennLive]

Talking Trash With Saquon Barkley Is Fun For PSU D-Line Coach: Brennan [Fight On State]

Penn State linebacker Manny Bowen continues to grow, and learn, from his challenging true freshman season: Flounders [PennLive]

Top 25 CFB teams with most NFL talent in 2017: Nos. 11-15: Zierlein [NFL.com]

Penn State season preview | Tons of talent on offense, high expectations for defending Big Ten champs: Connelly [Tribune-Democrat]