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Penn State Football vs Auburn: 3 Bold Predictions for Saturday

By Andrew Adair

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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Sep 18, 2021; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (9) hypes of the fans during the fourth quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Auburn 28-20. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2021; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (9) hypes of the fans during the fourth quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Auburn 28-20. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports /

Can the secondary cause an interception?

The defense has been terrific under new Defensive Coordinator Manny Diaz. So far, it looks like a great hire by James Franklin. The one issue, the secondary has dropped around six interceptions in the first two games.

Manny Diaz preaches chaos. The defense has created pressure and forced throws into very tight windows. Penn State has excelled in tight coverage this season but has zero interceptions to show for it. Joey Porter Jr., Kalen King, Keaton Ellis, and Daquan Hardy have all had prime opportunities to cause a turnover.

The strength of the defense has been the secondary early in the season. The defensive line is not consistently getting to the Quarterback. The Linebackers are still inexperienced outside of Curtis Jacobs. The game plan for Auburn points to this game being more about the defensive line and linebackers.

Bold Prediction #1

The defense ends the interception dry spell and finishes with two interceptions.

The defense has only been able to flip momentum once this season. With a hostile crowd in Jordan-Hare Stadium, Penn State will need the defense to cause a shift in momentum to win this game.

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