Penn State Football: reasons for optimism against the Indiana Hoosiers

This weekend, Penn State Football will look to improve to 7-2 on the season as they travel to Bloomington to take on Indiana.

Although they’re two possession favorites, we already discussed a few causes for concern against the Hoosiers. Now it’s time to do the opposite.

There are many to choose from, but these are three of the primary reasons for optimism for Penn State Football on Saturday afternoon.

Indiana’s defense

To be quite frank, Indiana’s defense is just bad.

The Hoosiers are tied for last in the Big Ten in scoring defense (30.6 ppg), third worst in total defense (414.8 ypg), fourth worst in rush defense (155.3 ypg), and third worst in pass defense (259.9). Plus, they are ninth in the conference with just 16 sacks so far through eight games, and tied for 10th in interceptions with just five on the season.

So, even if the Penn State offense doesn’t play their best game, they’re going up against one of the worst defenses in the conference. It also helps that Indiana struggles against both the run and the pass, so if the Nittany Lions struggle to get one going, they should be able to rely on the other.

Regardless of who starts at quarterback, this offense should be able to stretch the field vertically. Mike Yurcich needs to get the ball to his playmakers and let them do their thing.

The running game should be much of the same. For the most part this season, either Kaytron Allen or Nick Singleton have been able to get it going on the ground–sometimes both. Going against what will be one of the weakest run defenses they will see in 2022, anticipate the true freshman running back duo to have a big game.

Don’t be surprised to see the Nittany Lions put up a lot of points in this one.