Whiteout … The Penn State Football Whiteout.
After two “whiteout … energy” games this season, Penn State’s official whiteout is finally here.
The Nittany Lions will be looking to use the whiteout against Washington to reverse course after their first loss of the season against Ohio State to keep the Nittany Lions in firm contention for a home playoff game in the new 12-team playoff.
After landing at No. 6 in the initial College Football Playoff rankings Tuesday, Penn State Football is in a great position to earn their first playoff bid in program history and give themselves a home field advantage in the first round if the Nittany Lions can win the last four games of the regular season.
Penn State enters the game against Washington favored by 13.5 points but will need to shake off the loss to avoid a second heartbreak in a row that would severely dash the Nittany Lions playoff chances.
Here are three key matchups the Nittany Lions must win if they want to get back onto the winning track and stay in contention for a playoff spot this season.
Penn State Football 3 Key Matchups vs. Washington
Penn State Offensive Line vs. Washington Defensive Line
Penn State’s offensive line got pushed around, especially in the running game against Ohio State last weekend.
Penn State managed only 3.8 yards per carry, with both running backs averaging under three yards per carry against the Buckeyes. Penn State was also stopped on the goal line three consecutive times late in the fourth quarter on the goal line running with a chance to tie the game.
However, this weekend’s game against Washington gives Penn State an opportunity to get back on the right track running the football. Washington ranks 70th in the nation in rushing defense, giving up an average of 150.8 yards per game and 4.27 yards per carry.
Penn State Football, however, must take advantage through its offensive line in run blocking to help jumpstart a Penn State rushing attack that has been a shell of itself the last three games.
Penn State Front 7 vs. Washington Running Attack
In the reverse of the first key to victory, Penn State’s front seven has to do a better job in the running game than it did against Ohio State.
While Penn State ranks 14th in the nation in rushing defense this season, with the Nittany Lions only giving up 103.4 yards per game and 3.38 yards per carry, Ohio State managed to gain 176 yards on the ground and 4.4 yards per carry last week against the Nittany Lions.
The Nittany Lions particularly struggled to defend the right side of the field in the running game and allowed Ohio State to bleed 5:13 off the clock in the final drive running the football for 11 plays in a row.
Washington’s Jonah Coleman is a formidable back on the other side of the field against Penn State this week, rushing for 889 yards and seven touchdowns this season while averaging 6.3 yards per carry.
A week ago, Coleman rushed for 104 yards and two touchdowns in Washington’s win over USC. The Nittany Lions’ front seven must find a way to stop Coleman and the Washington rushing attack to secure a win Saturday.
Four Injured Players Return To Practice For Penn State Football
Drew Allar and Penn State Receivers vs. Washington Secondary
Penn State struggled passing the football against Ohio State a week ago.
Penn State managed only 150 yards through the air and completed passes to only two receivers on the afternoon. Washington’s secondary ranks second in the country in passing yards allowed, allowing only 142 yards per game and 5.07 yards per attempt. Penn State must get separation from receivers in order to free up Tyler Warren in the passing game if the Nittany Lions want to have hope of moving the ball down the field. Washington has also intercepted 12 passes on the season, so Drew Allar will need to be careful not to turn the ball over against a good Washington secondary.
Penn State has everything to play for in the last four games of the season. How the Nittany Lions come out after the Ohio State loss will determine if the Nittany Lions can break through to their first college football playoff birth and how long the Nittany Lions can continue their season on a postseason run.
Winning these three key matchups can go a long way to getting the Nittany Lions back on the winning streak and getting closer to punching their first ticket to the College Football Playoff.
MORE: What James Franklin Says Penn State Must Fix to Make College Football Playoff
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- Penn State Football vs. Washington: Nittany Lions’ 3 Key Matchups - November 8, 2024
- Four Injured Players Return To Practice For Penn State Football - November 7, 2024
- Where Will Penn State Land in the Initial College Football Playoff Rankings? - November 5, 2024