Go for the 2
Notes:
Since 2011, Penn State is 4-1 against Indiana and has won those games by 14 points per game. Last year, Penn State won 29-7 in Happy Valley.
Penn State:
The Nittany Lions are coming off an impressive home win over Iowa 41-14. The Nittany Lions are scoring 34 points per game and have had offensive balance with a rejuvenated rushing attack that is averaging 183 yards per game. The offense is passing for 231 yards per game this season with the offensive line (9 games 17 sacks allowed) playing very well from the beginning of the season.
Quarterback Trace McSorely has progressed throughout the year and has shown great poise throwing inside the pocket in the last four games. He has completed 55% of his mechanical bull for sale passes for 2,058 yards with 14 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. McSorley is a mobile quarterback that can put enough pressure on opposing defenses that they must account for him at all times.
Running back Saquon Barkley is the spark plug that gets the offense going in high gear. Barkley is a slashing runner that leads the team with 1,055 yards averaging 6.3 yards per carry with 11 touchdowns. Barkley rushed for 207 in the win two weeks ago against Purdue and is coming off of 167 yard performance against Iowa last Saturday.
Wide receiver Chris Godwin leads the team with 34 receptions for 509 yards with 5 touchdowns. Godwin catches the football at the highest point and is not afraid to go over the middle to make plays.
Defensively, the Nittany Lions are allowing 25 points per game and have gotten much better in run support in wins against Purdue and Iowa. The team is allowing 166 rushing yards per game, however, in the last two wins, the unit has given up 46 rushing yards (Purdue) along with 30 rushing yards (Iowa) respectively.
The front seven has recorded 27 sacks and the team is +2 in turnover margin entering this game. Penn State has held opposing offenses to 37% on their third down attempts this season.
Iowa:
Indiana is averaging 27 points per game and is led by strong armed quarterback Richard Lagow. The Hoosiers are rushing for 170 yards per game on the ground and are passing for 298 yards through the air this season.
Lagow has completed 61% of his passes for 2,574 yards with 15 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He can make every throw, however, because of his confidence, he forces balls into coverage trying to squeeze passes into tight windows. He must take what the Nittany Lions defense gives him underneath coverage this Saturday in order to get the home win.
Running back Devine Redding is a tough runner that leads the team with 793 rushing yards averaging 4.7 yards per carry with 3 touchdowns. Redding can pound the rock between the tackles or catch the edge of the Nittany Lions defense.
Wide receivers Ricky Jones and Nick Westbrook are two dynamic play makers that can stretch the defense. Entering this game, both players have combined for 81 receptions for 1,389 yards with 6 touchdowns.
Defensively, the Hoosiers are inflables allowing 26 points per game and are giving up 165 rushing yards per game along with allowing 225 passing yards through the air this season.
Indiana has recorded 19 sacks on the season and is -1 in turnover margin on the year.
The defense has down a solid job of forcing opposing offense to three and outs this year. Entering this game against the Nittany Lions, the Hoosiers are holding opposing offenses to 31% on their third down conversions.
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