Penn State Football: 3 Key Matchups vs Indiana

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA - SEPTEMBER 30: Head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions shakes hands with head coach Tom Allen of the Indiana Hoosiers after the game on September 30, 2017 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. Penn State defeats Indiana 45-14. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images) /

1. Tariq Castro-Fields vs Whop Philyor

Penn State’s top cornerback, senior Tariq Castro-Fields, will not be able to ease into the season, as he faces arguably his toughest matchup of the season in Week 1.

Indiana’s top wide out, Whop Philyor isn’t well known to Penn State fans because he suffered an injury early in the game last November. Philyor had 70 catches for 1,002 yards and five touchdowns as a junior last Fall.

He will be Indiana quarterback Michael Penix Jr.’s go-to target on Saturday, as Penix will try to get back into a groove after missing the second half of last season. Even with Philyor knocked out early last year, Indiana was still able to throw for 371 yards against the Nittany Lions.

If Penn State is to avoid a shootout and possible upset, they need to shut down Penix’s top target. Penn State will rely on their veteran corner to get the job done.

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