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The company line is always the one-game-at-a-time mantra, one that doesn’t put any added importance on any given week.
Then there’s the reality.
Penn State players examine the schedule just like anyone else. And coming off a particularly one-sided contest at Michigan that underscored just how far the Nittany Lions still have to go, it’s necessary to not let the bad vibes linger.
That’s because they have two winnable games at home these next two weeks, hosting Minnesota and then Maryland.
“These next two weeks are huge for our program and huge for where the season takes us,” tight end Mike Gesicki said.
A 4-2 record heading into an off week would be a boost for the Lions, but the task has been made much harder because of injuries, including a seemingly unprecedented situation at linebacker, where the team is desperately treading water.
With that in mind, Gesicki and the offense know well that their side of the ball has to pick up the slack and get back to that 35-point average they posted over the first three weeks.
At the quarter-pole, Penn State ranks last in the Big Ten — and near the bottom of the country — in both rushing offense and rushing defense in terms of yards per game. With some potentially wet weather lingering through Saturday, that’s all very much a concern for the Lions, who can’t allow the Golden Gophers to control things with their solid run game.
Both sides are looking particularly beat up on defense as Minnesota is thin in the secondary and will also be missing its top pass rusher. If the rain doesn’t bog things down too much, it has the makings of a high-scoring game.
Here’s a look at how it all breaks down.
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MINNESOTA (3-0, 0-0) at PENN STATE (2-2, 0-1) 3:30 p.m., Saturday, BTN |
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| QUARTERBACK | ||
| Tough to say if Mitch Leidner is fully deserving of some of the praise he has received from NFL scouts because the Gophers’ offense doesn’t require him to be dominant. But he undoubtedly has a strong arm and can also move pretty well to extend plays and drives. The Lions could use more of that from Trace McSorley, who hasn’t proven to be a consistent threat with his legs on those zone-read plays, allowing defenses to key on Saquon Barkley. Ball security looms even larger in the rain. EDGE: UMN |
| RUNNING BACK | ||
| Saquon Barkley has played fairly well, but because of sacks and scant help for the sophomore, Penn State ranks 122nd out of 128 teams in rushing. The Lions made a concerted effort to get Barkley the ball in the pass game last week, and his 77 receiving yards were most by a PSU back in eight years. A bigger role for Miles Sanders is cloudy because of two fumbles in limited carries. Minnesota has three backs averaging more than 5 yards per carry led by starter Rodney Smith (298 yards, 5.1 ypc, 5 TDs). EDGE: PSU |
| RECEIVER | ||
| A forgettable day for the Lions’ wideouts last week as Chris Godwin and DaeSean Hamilton couldn’t shake free of Michigan’s excellent corners and both had just one catch. Fellow starter DeAndre Thompkins had three catches for minus-1 yard. Ouch. Penn State should have more time to throw this week and the potential for a big game is there against a thin secondary. Drew Wolitarsky (17 rec, 252 yds, 2 TD) is far and away the Gophers’ top threat, though 6-10 tight end Nate Wozniak is a load. EDGE: PSU |
| OFFENSIVE LINE | ||
| Should be interesting to see if true freshman Connor McGovern makes his first career start after playing all but the first couple of drives at right guard last week. The unit was badly overmatched by a Michigan defense that may be the country’s best, but this week provides a chance to get back on track. Matt Limegrover has coached both teams’ offensive lines now, with the Gophers having the bigger and bulkier group, one which averages 6-foot-5, 322 pounds, including 6-foot-9 right tackle Jonah Pirsig. EDGE: UMN |
| DEFENSIVE LINE | ||
| After a great debut against Kent State, Penn State’s pass rush faded the rest of the month, in part because of limited opportunities. Opponents have been successful running the ball and using short passes, not allowing the Lions decent time to bring pressure. Kevin Givens twice couldn’t finish a sack last week, and that is an even bigger concern against the mobile Mitch Leidner. Minnesota will miss injured DE Tai’yon Devers, but DT Steven Richardson is a solid anchor vs. the run and the pass. EDGE: UMN |
| LINEBACKER | ||
| Penn State is set to set to start its seventh different linebacker in just five games with true freshman Cam Brown taking over at the weak-side spot while Jason Cabinda and Brandon Bell remain on the shelf. Brown had 10 tackles against Michigan and he’ll have to navigate his 215-pound frame around and through some of the biggest blockers on the schedule. Minnesota’s group is solid, if unspectacular, but obviously the Gophers are in a far more forgiving situation than the Lions are now. EDGE: UMN |
| SECONDARY | ||
| There hasn’t been a ton for the Lions’ defensive backs to do in losses to Pitt and Michigan because there wasn’t a need for them to throw very often or throw very deep. Still, senior safety Malik Golden has been playing arguably the best stretch of his career and Marcus Allen has improved. The height of Minnesota’s receivers and tight end could be a concern. The Gophers have two guys suspended and another handful battling injuries, so there will be chances for PSU to make plays through the air. EDGE: PSU |
| SPECIAL TEAMS | ||
| This one is basically a wash — after the last few years, though, that’s a big step forward for the Lions against a Big Ten opponent. Both sides have been solid all-around but have allowed a big play or two. Both kickers, Tyler Davis and Emmit Carpenter, are perfect on the season, though Carpenter has a longer range. Punter Blake Gillikin remains one of the Lions’ early season MVPs. The Lions appear to be pushing Miles Sanders as the primary kick returner, but blocking in front of him still must improve. EDGE: PSU |
| PREDICTION | ||
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