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 Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

2. Penn State’s OL vs Indiana’s Run D

Another way that Penn State can avoid a shootout, is to control the ball for as long as possible.

New offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca loves to run the ball as much as possible, and he should get the chance to do so against Indiana’s suspect run defense.

Penn State will be without Journey Brown, who ran for 100 yards on 22 carries against the Hoosiers last year. Despite the absence of the talented Brown, Penn State still has a powerful back in Noah Cain and a speed back in Devyn Ford to carry the load.

These two will be running behind an experienced offensive line that returns four of its five starters from last season. This unit will be counted on to control the line of scrimmage and keep the ball in Penn State’s hands for as long as possible.

If Penn State is constantly getting a push at the line, Indiana will be forced to bring more men into the box, allowing Ciarrocca to take shots down field with quarterback Sean Clifford. Indiana’s pass defense is good, so being able to run the ball, will allow Penn State to throw the ball effectively.

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