Outback Bowl: 3 key matchups as Penn State Football takes on Arkansas

Sean Clifford vs Arkansas’ secondary

Arkansas is 43rd nationally with 11 interceptions on the season, and 44th in passing yards allowed per game with 215, so they are around the middle of the pack in terms of pass defense.

However, cornerback Montaric Brown leads the team with 5 interceptions, so Clifford needs to be careful when throwing in his direction.

Clifford certainly has the capability to have success against the Razorbacks’ secondary if he is protected, and his receivers will certainly get open and make plays for him.

Ultimately, the veteran quarterback needs to protect the football and not force his throws.

Not only will interceptions be extremely costly, but for an offense that cannot run the ball effectively, they need to stay on schedule through the air, so incompletions on first and second down will lead to unwanted third and long situations.

He also cannot be afraid to check it down to a running back when nothing is open downfield.

Mike Yurcich will need to scheme guys open to help his quarterback, and he will need to be creative to help this one-dimensional offense move the ball and score points.

If Clifford doesn’t turn the ball over and completes a lot of his passes, Penn State Football will have an opportunity to win this game.