Big Ten defense rankings: How does Penn State Football stack up?
Time to focus on the other side of the ball and rank the top 10 defenses in the Big Ten and see where Penn State Football ranks among their conference foes
The Big Ten is traditionally known for its stingy defenses but as college football changes so to does the Big Ten in that it is becoming more and more of an offensive league. Penn State Football’s program has embodied some of that change in recent seasons
Quarterbacks and explosive offenses rule the day now, however there are a few teams that still hold defense as their calling card, as three teams; Northwestern, Iowa and Wisconsin allowed less than 20 points per game during last years only Covid-season.
Penn State Football fell almost just about right in the middle of the pack, allowing 27 points per game to its opponents, which was a major step back from the 14 points per game they surrendered in 2019.
The conference’s best team, the Ohio State Buckeyes boast one of the worst passing defenses in the country but managed to reach the National Title game, a sign of the times in college football, where at times it can look like more of a offensive ping pong match.
The storyline in 2021 will be if the traditional blue bloods like Penn State Football and Michigan can get back to playing their usual salty defense or if the trends of these teams allowing nearly 30 points per game continues.
Let’s take a look at the top 10 defenses in the Big Ten, and how Penn State Football stacks up:
10. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Head coach Greg Schiano is already showing signs of building something in Piscataway and the defensive improvement is a big reason for this.
The Scarlet Knights allowed over 32 points per game last season which is something they clearly will need to improve on, but it was their ability to get after the quarterback and turn over their opponents that jumps off the page.
Rutgers finished third in the Big Ten with 21 sacks and fifth in sacks with eight. Rutgers, along with Penn State Football played all nine games last year which helps their stats, but regardless these are building blocks for the Knights as they head into 2021.