Penn State interim coach Terry Smith knows his team faces a massive challenge when Indiana visits Beaver Stadium this Saturday.
The Hoosiers bring the nation’s No. 2 ranking and an offense that’s been torching Big Ten opponents all season.
Smith pointed to Indiana receivers Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper Jr., who have more touchdown catches than Ohio State’s highly-touted duo of Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate. His solution? Getting “back more involved with the corner room to make more points of emphasis.”
That adjustment might help, but Penn State’s underlying problems run deeper.
As The York Daily Record’s Frank Bodani notes, keeping pace with coach Curt Cignetti’s explosive offense could prove impossible for a Penn State attack ranked in the bottom third nationally.
“The Nittany Lions may well come out inspired in Beaver Stadium and trade body blows with the nation’s No. 2 team,” Bodani wrote. “But hanging in for four quarters will prove daunting.”
The numbers tell the story of Indiana’s dominance this season.
The Hoosiers dropped 55 points on Maryland, 56 on UCLA, and 63 on Illinois. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza has emerged as a legitimate Heisman candidate while directing coordinator Mike Shanahan’s balanced attack.
“How can the Lions possibly transform their disappointing pass rush and suddenly-shoddy pass coverage against this team?” Bodani asked. “That would be their only means of survival. And their defense hasn’t looked the part since late September.”
Indiana’s success isn’t limited to offense.
The Hoosiers rank No. 3 nationally in scoring defense, allowing just 10.8 points per game. They’re also fourth in run defense, which could neutralize Penn State’s most reliable offensive weapon.
“The Lions counter with a steady run game but a neutered, even dysfunctional, passing attack,” Bodani noted. “They are not suited for victory unless they can force big mistakes and mine multiple turnovers.”
Penn State’s best hope might be catching Indiana in a rare off performance.
Coming off consecutive blowout victories over Maryland and UCLA, the Hoosiers could be due for a letdown by their lofty standards. But Mendoza has been remarkably careful with the football, throwing just two interceptions and losing one fumble all season.
The Nittany Lions rank No. 39 in turnover margin, making forced mistakes a slim possibility.
Even if Penn State’s defense creates opportunities, redshirt quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer would need a career performance to capitalize against Indiana’s stingy defense.
The matchup represents a potential breakthrough moment for Indiana’s program.
Saturday’s game offers the Hoosiers their first real test as a top-tier program. For Penn State, it’s about finding ways to compete despite significant disadvantages on both sides of the ball.
The planets rarely align for upsets against No. 2 teams, especially when the gap in talent and execution appears this wide.
