STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Penn State's hopes for a happy homecoming will be front and center Saturday afternoon after James Franklin's Nittany Lions dropped back-to-back games, the first time they've done so with quarterback Trace McSorley as the starter.
"I don't think we got over the Ohio State game quick enough," Franklin said Thursday night on his radio show. "I don’t think our guys responded as well, and that's all of us. This week, the energy is back the way I expect it to be."
The Scarlet Knights (4-5, 3-3 Big Ten) could be the perfect cure for what ails the No. 14 Lions after recent woes against elite competition. While much has been made of the Lions' struggles in the trenches the past two weeks, expect this Penn State (7-2, 4-2) team to look much like the one that dominated opponents earlier this season. While they likely still won't be back to full strength with the availabilities of left tackle Ryan Bates and starting defensive end Ryan Buchholz up in the air for a second straight week, Penn State has more than enough weapons to handle Chris Ash's Scarlet Knights.
THE PICK: Penn State 41, Rutgers 10
OFFENSE
It likely was meant to be taken as a challenge to his offensive linemen and the Lions' entire run game, but we'll have to see if Franklin's team that he dubbed "too finesse" last weekend can be more physical up front. It's a mentality of driving players into the ground that he's looking for and Penn State's inability to consistently run the ball bit them the past two weeks, but against Rutgers look for Saquon Barkley to get back to his old ways. Whether that comes with carries or catching passes, however, remains to be seen.
The ground game could still be a work in progress.
"They're physical," guard Steven Gonzalez said of Rutgers' defensive line. "They're a big group. And they're coming off a few games where if they've won obviously they're coming off a hot streak. It's always going to be tough. And they're going to come in and try to knock us off. And they're going to come in with a lot of momentum, so we just have to be prepared for it."
With Rutgers using some unusual looks up front with an odd-man front it's something that the Lions had to prepare for all week and then likely won't see again the rest of the year. That could present some challenges for the line and an offense that hasn't rushed for 100 yards in four of the last five games.
"It's different. We don't see that very often," Franklin said. "It changes how you have to game plan. It changes your blocking schemes in the running game and the blocking schemes in the passing game for protection standpoint."
For a group that's struggled that will certainly be one area to keep an eye on. Another, is whether or not McSorley can continue to be effective on the run, which is when Franklin said he believes the quarterback is playing at his best. There's no doubt that McSorley's rushing threat helps open up and create space for Barkley, but Penn State also can't have the same turnover issues that resulted in three McSorley interceptions -- with two likely not on him -- last week.
There certainly are a lot of familiar faces for the players on both sidelines and with the Lions' roster dotted with New Jersey natives, like Gonzalez, Mike Gesicki, Saeed Blacknall, Brendan Mahon, just on offense there likely will be a few of them who this game means a little extra. Rutgers fans haven't taken too kindly to those who headed across state lines so while this home game won't be met with the atmosphere that once greeted Penn State in Piscataway a few years ago, look for Gesicki or Blacknall -- the latter who was once a Rutgers verbal commit -- to want to try and make their mark.
Blacknall, who broke three tackles for a touchdown last week, splits time with DeAndre Thompkins so we'll have to see how the latter bounces back after a critical fourth-down drop last week.
Look for Barkley to be running behind the same line the Lions used last week, with redshirt freshman Will Fries at left tackle and Chasz Wright at right tackle.
DEFENSE
Will this be the week that Penn State's pass rush finally turns the corner? Well, they'll likely be doing so without Buchholz again, which means Kevin Givens will continue settling in outside where he doesn't have a full grasp of the position, but showed last week that he's got enough understanding and versatility to at least be a disruption.
For the line right now, that's all they can ask. With Givens, Shaka Toney, Shane Simmons and Yetur Gross-Matos trying to pick up the slack it's been tough sledding for Penn State. Add in Shareef Miller playing a high number of snaps the last two games and it's far from ideal at defensive end, but there's also not much else the Lions can do at this point due to injuries. They've been pleased with their defensive tackles, especially against the run and they boast depth along the interior.
However, it was senior Tyrell Chavis who had himself a day against Michigan State, so we'll have to see if Chavis can continue being a solid option off the bench while the Lions will have to get more from a pass rush standpoint from Parker Cothren and Curtis Cothran.
Penn State's third down defense has been problematic as of late, with the Lions gashed for several third-and-long situations against the Spartans. While part of it's the pass rush and the other part at times the coverage, somehow, someway finding ways to at least make the quarterback uncomfortable and get him off the mark has to happen.
But, the good news for a defense with pass rush issues is that Rutgers' passing game is among the worst in the nation. Ranked 121st nationally with 127.0 passing yards per game, the Lions need to be prepared for a heavy dose of the run game. Keep in mind this is a Rutgers passing attack that hasn't posted 200 passing yards all season.
However, Rutgers' run game is its biggest threat and the Lions have been solid in that area.
"They do have a big, big physical offensive line," Franklin said. "Two of their best players are Miami transfers on the team. Their running back, 235 pounds and he'll pound you. They're doing a nice job. They're doing a nice job of protecting the quarterback, quick game, move the pocket, things like that."
Miami transfer Gus Edwards is part of a deep backfield that likely will mean more time loading the box for the Lions and more opportunities for physical tackler Marcus Allen.
“They kind of are making their plays off the running game and they run the ball well and they got a couple good running backs," senior safety Troy Apke said. "I think they’re going to throw the ball on us and give us a little bit of that too."
Penn State's been able to mask some of their issues on defense this season by coming up with turnovers in key situations and while Amani Oruwairye logged another interception last week, the Lions could use a couple turnovers to help turn the tide.
SPECIAL TEAMS
When healthy, Rutgers receiver/returner Janarion Grant can be a difference-maker. Although he has no return for a touchdown this season and has been slowed by injury, Grant has eight for his career and the Lions need to be aware of him.
“Janarion Grant is always an issue, always a concern,” Franklin said. “So we need to be ready for that.”
That's one area where Penn State could potentially be exploited, but the Lions have been strong on coverage this season with wide receiver Irv Charles among the team's top special teams performers. That's a challenge the third phase will have to embrace, but the good news is the Big Ten typically has strong, elusive returners to help prepare them. And having Thompkins and Barkley to work against in the offseason certainly doesn't hurt.
Barkley has a pair of kick returns on the season and Thompkins has a punt return for a touchdown. Punter Blake Gillikin continues to help flip the field position and the Lions' field goal unit has been OK too after early-season struggles. With better conditions this week, at least not as sloppy kicker Tyler Davis could get quite a bit of use.
KEEP AN EYE ON: The projected weather forecast. After last weekend's lightning delay of 3 hours and 23 minutes I won't rule anything out anymore. However, this one will make for typical mid-November Happy Valley weather with temperatures getting as high as 36 degrees. That means when the grills get fired up in the morning for the tailgaters it likely will still be in the 20s. If that doesn't scream happy homecoming I'm not sure what will.
Franklin said the Lions will have heaters on the sideline as usual and that he wants his players to be as comfortable as possible in the weather.
DON'T BE SURPRISED IF... Penn State's sizable lead means a fourth quarter's worth of work for backup quarterback Tommy Stevens. While the two-quarterback package still remains in the works and apparently has been in every game plan but one this season, Franklin said, there's valuable experience to be had for McSorley's backup.