Indiana vs. Penn State prediction, what to look for and more
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State coaches and players spent time this week answering questions about finding an identity on offense. Five games in and the jury is still out on deep receiving corps we all heard and wrote so much about, the improvements up front and the need for more creative play calling.
Here’s a sampling of what was asked this week:
Has the playbook been scaled back because of the offense’s struggles?
James Franklin said no, but added that they’re not as creative as they’d like to be each week.
How has QB Christian Hackenberg progressed since last season?
QB coach Ricky Rahne said Hackenberg is checking the team into run plays and doing a better job taking care of the football.
Does Hackenberg even fit in this offense?
Rahne said this notion is a bit “over blown” that No. 14 and his big arm are indeed a fit.
Will RB Saquon Barkley play?
Franklin said it’ll depend how the freshman feels Friday, but conceded that if Barkley does play he won’t be 100 percent.
Will the offense always look this well, um, you know…. ugly?
Franklin laughed and said he wants the offense to be “sexier” too but that it will take time. Right now though he’ll taking winning ugly, he said.
For now, this offense is what it is. How much it improves the rest of the season will determine just how far this team can go. Right now, ranked 116th in the Football Bowl Subdivision in total offense, the unit seemingly can only go up.
The pick: Penn State 27, Indiana 20
RB Jordan Howard and QB Nate Sudfeld are game-time decisions for Indiana. Penn State RB Saquon Barkley is on the fence too. The availability of center Angelo Mangiro and offensive tackle Andrew Nelson is unclear as well. This one is a difficult pick because of all the injuries, but Penn State’s defense will keep the Lions in it.
Don’t be surprised if… Penn State turns the ball over once or twice. Franklin highlighted the team’s improved ball security all week (which the last time we all heard so much about something it was the special teams before it went out and struggled a few weeks ago). While the Lions are doing really well here and are +8 in the turnover margin, the Hoosiers are +9.
Between Barkley (if he plays) and a trio of redshirt freshmen running backs at some point there’s likely to be that rookie, or in this case freshman, mistake. Penn State is playing a lot of freshmen and while at this point in the season Franklin said it’s time for everybody to take the next step, in a game like this one team will find a way to create a turnover or two.
Army coughed the ball up seven times last week and while that won’t be the case with Indiana, just one turnover could swing this game.
Keep an eye on… Safety Troy Apke’s reps. Franklin said the sophomore played every rep on defense and special teams a week ago. While starting safety Marcus Allen’s availability is up in the air, Penn State is thin here. Penn State hasn’t burned freshman Ayron Monroe’s redshirt (and at this point unless another injury would pop up at safety they likely wouldn’t) so how does Apke hold up if he’s called upon to play the entire game again?
Worth mentioning that… Indiana has never won in Beaver Stadium. Penn State leads the all-time series 17-1.
Miss any of the Post-Gazette’s Penn State coverage during the week? Get caught up here:
- CB Grant Haley making a name for himself at his mother’s alma mater
- Is QB Christian Hackenberg the right fit for this offense?
- Penn State vs. Indiana broadcast moved to ESPN
-Penn State practice notes: RB Saquon Barkley takes reps, Franklin says
- DT Anthony Zettel plans to honor late father by continuing to play on
-Scout-team standouts: Who is giving Penn State the best practice looks?
-James Franklin understands Penn State’s struggles on offense
-TE Mike Gesicki looks to continue bouncing back after early season struggles
Audrey Snyder: asnyder@post-gazette.com and Twitter @audsnyder4.
RSS Feeds