West Virginia rolls into Happy Valley on Saturday night to face No. 7 Penn State.
The Nittany Lions are coming off a Rose Bowl victory over Utah, and have all the expectations in the world to try and advance to the College Football Playoff. What stands in their way is the likes of Michigan and Ohio State in the Big Ten East — the only two schools who they lost to a season ago.
The Quarterback
While there has not been a starting quarterback named by Penn State head coach James Franklin, all signs point to sophomore Drew Allar being named the starter. Allar seems to be the guy, and he was a five-star prospect coming out of high school.
Allar is probably the biggest question mark due to him having been unproven at the highest level. Allar played in 10 games last season, but only had 60 passing attempts. Allar completed 58 percent of his passes, for 344 yards and four touchdowns. He also did not throw an interception. Allar’s rushing ability is also aided by his big frame. Allar rushed 18 times for 52 yards and a score, and stands at 6-foot-5, 243 pounds.
The Rest of the Offense
Penn State’s formula will seem to be keeping the ball on the ground with their stable of running backs, and not try to have to put the game on the shoulders of Allar. Over the past two seasons, Penn State is 13-0 when they rush for at least 125 yards. In their two losses last season, Penn State rushed for 111 yards each time, and in their 35-31 week one win over Purdue, they ran for only 98 yards.
The two running backs spearheading this attack are Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen. Both were Penn State’s top two rushers a season ago.
Singleton led the team in rushing yards and touchdowns with 1,061 yards and 12 touchdowns. Allen was not far behind rushing or 867 yards and 10 touchdowns. Penn State will be running behind a very talented offensive line, led by NFL prospect Olu Fashanu at left tackle, they should continue their strong rushing attack.
The Defense
While Penn State lost Joey Porter Jr. to the NFL, it hardly makes a difference for the Uber-talented defense under second-year defensive coordinator Manny Diaz. Penn State will have a lockdown corner in Kalen King and bring back Abdul Carter at the linebacker position. They also return Chop Robinson who had 5.5 sacks and and 10 TFL at the defensive end position.
Carter had the most sacks on the team for Penn State a season ago with 6.5, and he had 10.5 TFL, 56 total tackles, and two forced fumbles to go along with it. Penn State finished second in the Big Ten in defensive efficiency last season, and sixth in rushing defense, allowing 111.2 yards per game on the ground. Penn State had the best red zone defense in the Big Ten and recorded the most sacks in the conference as well.
Home Sweet Home
There is often a lot said about Penn State’s home field advantage and they look to capitalize on it once again Saturday. Since 2018, Penn State is 24-5 at Beaver Stadium (not including 2020 with no crowds). Out of those five losses, three have come to either Michigan or Ohio State, while the other two came to Michigan State and Illinois.
Last season at home, Penn State won by an average of 23.7 points per game in their six home wins. Their only home loss was to Ohio State, a game in which Penn State led 21-16 in the fourth quarter, before losing 44-31.
Photo by Marc Sellers, PSU Athletics
