Penn State Football: Reasons for Confidence, and to Worry at Minnesota
No. 4 Penn State Football has a sneakily difficult test Saturday afternoon, especially since Minnesota Gophers head coach PJ Fleck is cunning.
And, Fleck takes chances. High risk can mean high reward.
And, when your at a disadvantage against the 4th-ranked Nittany Lions, you’ll need to take chances and risks for sure.
Here’s a look at some of Penn State‘s biggest reasons for confidence against their Big Ten rivals, and why head coach James Franklin‘s team may need to worry about the upset-minded Gophers’ chances of torpedoing yet another College Football Playoff-caliber campaign.
Penn State Football’s Reasons For Concern vs. Minnesota
1. The Gophers are no slouch defensively.
Minnesota enters Saturday as the 11th-ranked defense in the nation and is fifth in the nation in interceptions.
2. Can Penn State utilize pass catchers other than Tyler Warren when needed? Many teams have a star, and the Nittany Lions are no different with the top tight end in the nation. But headed into the playoffs, it would be good to see other weapons materialize.
3. Minnesota Can Move The Football
The Gophers are 22nd in Passing Offense and 87th in sacks allowed. If there is one thing Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Allen is going to need to worry about Saturday afternoon it is how quickly Minnesota gets the ball out to the playmakers in the passing game, which could neutralize the Nittany Lions’ pass rush.
Penn State Football’s Reasons for Confidence at Minnesota
Iowa, Michigan, and Rutgers.
Three teams with not much offensive firepower, all beat the Gophers.
Why? Because the Gophers collapse against any formidable defense.
1. Minnesota ranks 113th offensively and have the 113th ranked rushing offense. To be that bad this far into the season is pretty inept.
2. Gophers Starting QB Max Brosner has virtually zero rushing yards, matter of fact, he has NEGATIVE 29 yards on 57 carries. That is horrendous. That’s an average loss of half a yard per carry.
So, if Brosner isn’t throwing the ball, Minnesota is doing nothing offensively.
3. Penn State Fotball is in beast mode right now playing at a very high level looking like a playoff team.
PJ Fleck will try anything he can from the start.
If the Gophers will have any chance at all, they absolutely cannot get down early. But it won’t matter.
With the 4th-ranked defense and 14th-ranked offense, and a large chip on their shoulder from the national disrespect, I don’t see the Nittany Lions allowing Minnesota to keep this one close at any point on Saturday.
Penn State Football has an afternoon walk in the park in Minneapolis and moves to 10-1 on the season.
MORE: Penn State’s Ideal Oponent in the College Football Playoff
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He has been recognized for his work as a photographer and has also contributed to various publications including PennLive and The Weather Channel.
Brad is an Air Force veteran, coach and competitive runner that grew up a Nittany Lions fan as his family is originally from the State College area.
His diverse skillset and experiences provide for interesting perspectives on the college football, and sports topics of the day.
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