Previews, predictions and features on Penn State-Indiana football
A week removed from a heart-stopping, last-gasp win at Iowa, Penn State returns to friendly confines.
Indiana isn’t Michigan or Ohio State — but the Hoosiers aren’t snoozers. Between a quick-tempo offense and plenty of weapons, Indiana provides a test for the Nittany Lions on Saturday.
Whatever you’re looking for, from a Penn State coverage angle, we’ve got you covered right here:
Previews (Looking at the game from different angles)
Penn State defense preparing for Indiana’s tempo: The Hoosiers ran one play every 15.9 seconds in the first half against Ohio State — a game that they led at halftime. After being worn out last year by Indiana’s sped-up approach, the Nittany Lions are ready.
Joe Moorhead believes Penn State’s best offense is ahead: The Nittany Lions have averaged 40.5 points and 496.5 yards per game to start the 2017 season. But Moorhead thinks his unit can continue to improve — a scary thought for the Hoosiers.
Q&A with Indiana beat writer Mike Miller of The Herald Times: Miller helped break down the 2-1 Hoosiers, discussing everything from NFL-caliber receiver Simmie Cobbs to dual-threat option Peyton Ramsey.
What to watch for: From Chasz Wright’s expected return to Indiana’s explosive punt returner, here are five things to keep an eye on when watching Saturday’s contest.
Nittany Lions love new white cleats: Exhale, Penn State purists. The white cleats aren’t permanent. But on Saturday, the Nittany Lions will sport retro uniforms — and it’s clear what their favorite aspect is.
Takeaways from James Franklin’s weekly press conference: Penn State’s coach revisited the Iowa game and looked ahead to Indiana in his 40-minute weekly presser. Franklin broke down Will Fries’ play, Tommy Stevens’ development and more.
Penn State-Indiana podcast: John McGonigal and Josh Moyer touch on Saquon Barkley’s Heisman campaign and discuss where Penn State goes from here after a thrilling win at Iowa.
Features (Getting to know the Nittany Lions)
DaeSean Hamilton’s record-approaching career put in perspective: Allen Robinson, Deon Butler, Mike Gesicki, Gregg Garrity Sr. and more Nittany Lions — as well as Hamilton’s parents — weighed in on the senior wideout approaching Penn State’s all-time receptions record. “I’ll be watching when he breaks it,” Butler said. “That’s for sure.”
James Franklin proud of players’ approach to social issues, NFL protests: Several Nittany Lions have used their platform on Twitter to voice and share their opinions on America’s political climate. Franklin commended them, especially freshman Lamont Wade.
Defensive end Shareef Miller playing with “killer instinct”: Miller, a redshirt sophomore, already has six tackles for loss through four games — and is on-pace to tie Carl Nassib’s 2015 mark of 19.5 over 13 games. Miller’s teammates knew this was coming.
Moorhead discusses Barkley, head coaching hype: “I don’t know that anything the kid does can surprise you anymore. I think the Iowa game was essentially a microcosm of this kid’s skill-set,” Moorhead said of Barkley. Compiling the highlights from Moorhead’s Thursday conference call, here are his best answers in Q&A format.
5 Questions with LaVar Arrington: A Penn State legend and NFL Pro-Bowler, Arrington is an outspoken letterman — and he made his voice heard in this Q&A. He discussed Saquon Barkley’s Heisman campaign, Marcus Allen’s ‘mega-star’ NFL future and more.
Miscellaneous (Other PSU stuff you might be interested in)
John Urschel named Penn State Homecoming grand marshal: He’ll be back the weekend of Nov. 10-12.
Brandon Smith named semifinalist for “Academic Heisman”: Penn State linebacker Brandon Smith has been named one of 181 semifinalists for the 2017 William V. Campbell Trophy, widely regarded as the “Academic Heisman,” the National Football Foundation announced Wednesday.
Saquon Barkley named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week: The unstoppable junior wowed fans at home and in Kinnick Stadium with 358 all-purpose yards against Iowa. No wonder he received top honors from the conference.
Another award: What do you know, Barkley was also named the Maxwell Award Player of the Week after his Iowa performance.
Predictions (For Penn State-Indiana and elsewhere in the Big Ten)
Indiana at No. 4 Penn State, 3:30 p.m. BTN
Josh Moyer: Penn State 38-21
John McGonigal: Penn State 45-17
Gordon Brunskill: Penn State 41-13
Ryne Gery: Penn State 42-17
Nate Cobler: Penn State 33-20
Northwestern at No. 10 Wisconsin, noon ABC
Josh Moyer: Wisconsin 35-14
John McGonigal: Wisconsin 28-10
Gordon Brunskill: Wisconsin 34-17
Ryne Gery: Wisconsin 28-10
Nate Cobler: Wisconsin 27-17
Maryland at Minnesota, noon FS1
Josh Moyer: Minnesota 27-13
John McGonigal: Maryland 17-14
Gordon Brunskill: Minnesota 22-12
Ryne Gery: Maryland 24-20
Nate Cobler: Maryland 20-13
Iowa at Michigan State, 4 p.m. FOX
Josh Moyer: Michigan State 201-7
John McGonigal: Iowa 23-17
Gordon Brunskill: Iowa 19-18
Ryne Gery: Iowa 27-14
Nate Cobler: Iowa 13-7
No. 11 Ohio State at Rutgers, 7:30 p.m. BTN
Josh Moyer: Ohio State 49-10
John McGonigal: Ohio State 38-7
Gordon Brunskill: Ohio State 52-3
Ryne Gery: Ohio State 42-3
Nate Cobler: Ohio State 45-17
OVERALL RECORDS: Nate Cobler 32-7, Ryne Gery 32-7, John McGonigal 31-8, Josh Moyer 31-8, Gordon Brunskill 29-10
This story was originally published September 30, 2017 at 1:47 AM with the headline "Previews, predictions and features on Penn State-Indiana football."