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Penn State Football: five reasons for optimism for the Nittany Lions’ trip to The Big House

By Nick Kreiser

AUBURN, ALABAMA - SEPTEMBER 17: Running back Kaytron Allen #13 of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs the ball ball behind offensive lineman Landon Tengwall #58 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during their game against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 17, 2022 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)
AUBURN, ALABAMA - SEPTEMBER 17: Running back Kaytron Allen #13 of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs the ball ball behind offensive lineman Landon Tengwall #58 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during their game against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 17, 2022 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images) /
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STATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 01: Ji’Ayir Brown #16 of the Penn State Nittany Lions returns an interception against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at Beaver Stadium on October 1, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 01: Ji’Ayir Brown #16 of the Penn State Nittany Lions returns an interception against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at Beaver Stadium on October 1, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Reason for optimism #3 – the secondary

For the second consecutive season, Penn State Football has one of the best secondaries in college football.

If the Nittany Lions are in fact successful in slowing down Blake Corum as I discussed in the previous slide, it won’t get any easier for the Wolverines when they try to go to the air.

Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy is one of the best in the Big Ten at his position, as he’s completing 78.3% of his passes so far this year for 1,152 total yards, nine touchdowns, and one interception. It’ll be tough for him to continue to keep that completion percentage that high as he’ll be throwing against a deep, talented, and athletic secondary.

The Wolverines’ receiving corps is led by Ronnie Bell, who has 30 catches for 390 yards and one touchdown so far this year. He’s certainly a better receiver than those numbers might suggest, but they just haven’t had to resort to the passing game too often to this point.

The Nittany Lions have five interceptions in their last three games, and their defensive backfield will make it very difficult for Michigan to consistently move the ball through the air.

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