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Penn State Football: reasons for optimism for the Nittany Lions’ trip to Auburn

By Nick Kreiser

STATE COLLEGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 10: Head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions leads the team onto the field before the game against the Ohio Bobcats at Beaver Stadium on September 10, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 10: Head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions leads the team onto the field before the game against the Ohio Bobcats at Beaver Stadium on September 10, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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As Penn State Football heads south to take on the Auburn Tigers, the Nittany Lions are favored and are certainly the better team.

However, there are some causes for concern for this matchup, such as slowing down the Tigers’ running game, which I discussed in my Q&A with War Blogle.

Overall though, there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic that the Nittany Lions will return home with a win. What are some of those reasons?

Here are the top three reasons to be optimistic that Penn State Football will take care of business on Saturday afternoon.

The Penn State Football secondary

Sep 1, 2022; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (9) and Penn State Nittany Lions safety Ji’Ayir Brown (16) celebrate in the second half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2022; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (9) and Penn State Nittany Lions safety Ji’Ayir Brown (16) celebrate in the second half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

This Penn State secondary is one of the best in college football, and they’ll be going up against a very sub-par Auburn passing attack. As a result, the Tigers will likely be very one-dimensional and lean heavy on the run.

Now, we’re not quite sure what to expect out of Penn State’s run defense, especially against a rushing attack as good as Auburn’s, which makes that one of our causes for concern for this matchup.

However, if the Nittany Lions’ front seven is able to limit the runs on first and second down, forcing third and long situations, it will be a long night for the Auburn offense. Plus, if Penn State can jump out in front early and play with a lead, eventually the Tigers will have to drop back and try to push the ball downfield to try and score points, which won’t be easy against this excellent secondary.

Don’t be surprised to see Penn State Football come away with a few interceptions in this game, as this defensive backfield should be able to shut down the passing game.

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