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Penn State Football: keys to success for the Nittany Lions against Michigan

By Nick Kreiser

STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 01: Sean Clifford #14 of the Penn State Nittany Lions huddles with teammates before the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Beaver Stadium on October 1, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 01: Sean Clifford #14 of the Penn State Nittany Lions huddles with teammates before the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Beaver Stadium on October 1, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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STATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 01: Landon Tengwall #58 of the Penn State Nittany Lions lines up against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at Beaver Stadium on October 1, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 01: Landon Tengwall #58 of the Penn State Nittany Lions lines up against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at Beaver Stadium on October 1, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Key to success on offense #2 – prove you can run the ball against the best of the best

So far, Penn State Football has been able to run the ball effectively, and it’s been a key factor in their success so far.

If they want that success to continue against the best of the best, they’ll need to be able to continue to run the ball well against some of the best run defenses in the sport.

Michigan comes into this game ranked seventh in the country in rush yards allowed per game with 81.7. To this point, the highest rated run defense that Penn State has faced this season has been Purdue, who ranks 17th at 96.7 yards per game. In case you forgot, that was statistically the Nittany Lions’ worst game of the season in regard to rushing yardage.

To an extent, it’s fair to assume that part of that lack of success on the ground at Purdue could be attributed to being in week one. The offensive line was still a bit of a work in progress at that point, and Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen were playing in just their first collegiate game.

I believe this offense has since improved on their ability to run the ball, and their confidence in doing so has continued to grow as a result. Will that be enough to run the ball effectively against the Michigan Wolverines? That remains to be seen.

If this offense can in fact find some success running the ball, it takes a ton of pressure off of Sean Clifford and opens up the passing game. If this running game shows up, this offense can move the ball in this game and the Nittany Lions have a great chance to come away with a win.

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