Giger's Kickoff: Lions, Tigers will tough it out in trenches taken in Auburn, Ala. (Penn State)

Mark Selders / Penn State Athletics

Ji'Ayir Brown (16) and Tariq Castro-Fields break up a pass and upend the receiver during Penn State's win over Auburn last season at Beaver Stadium.

AUBURN, Ala. -- Auburn is going to line up and try to run the ball down Penn State's throat. Can the Nittany Lions stop it with their defensive front seven?

Penn State is going to try to establish some kind of a running game, building on last week's momentum against Ohio. Can the Lions get enough push from their offensive line to make that happen?

There are really no secrets heading into Saturday's intriguing matchup between Big Ten and SEC powers at Jordan-Hare Stadium. This is going to be an extremely physical game, and Penn State traditionally fares well in those.

Could today be different for the Lions, especially on the defensive side of the ball?

Penn State's defense hasn't been challenged at all from a physical standpoint through two weeks -- against either Purdue, which threw 58 times and got rid of the ball quickly, or by a vastly overmatched Ohio team.

So, trying to predict how the front seven will do in this kind of game against a good running offense is really the biggest unknown.

"It's hard to get a true evaluation on that," James Franklin said when asked about the run defense. "Obviously, when you just talk about disruption plays, like tackles for loss and sacks and things like that, I think going into the year we knew that linebacker, we had questions there in terms of just returning experience. But again, we have been able to get those guys a ton of reps. They're getting better every single day."

Whether the linebackers will be able to help a great deal in run support is a key going into this game. But more important will be the play of the defensive line, which must hold its own against the Tigers' ground attack, led by Tank Bigsby. Defensive tackle P.J. Mustipher wasn't much of a factor in the Purdue game, so this kind of opponent will be much more suited to him and physical guys on the line.

"I still am a huge believer that it starts up front with our defensive line in setting the tone, especially when you still have some inexperience behind them. It helps and takes some pressure off," Franklin said.

"This is going to be a challenge. No doubt about it. You make a mistake against this crew, and it has a chance to cost you. They've got guys you watch on tape and obviously guys that can make big, big plays, so we're going to have to be sound. We're going to have to make sure that fundamentally, we are prepared and executing the way we're going to need to execute.

"But we're going to be challenged, by their run game, by their athleticism. ... Then on top of that, you just also have to understand the play-action opportunities to come off that run game, as well. Got to be prepared for both."

That's one side of the ball.

Penn State's offensive line can take some credit for last week's big game against Ohio, although most of Nicholas Singleton's 179 yards came on runs where he got to the edge and just outran everybody.

It's going to be much harder to do that against Auburn's speed on defense. So, the Lions are going to have to find ways to get tough yardage up the gut.

Anyone expecting a repeat of Ohio by Singleton could wind up being disappointed. Auburn now knows what to expect from him, and certainly will game plan to keep him between the tackles.

It won't just be the run blocking in the spotlight today for Penn State. The Lions will have to pass block well and keep Sean Clifford upright, which will be challenging against a tough defense in a tough environment.

Franklin was asked about the quarterbacks either getting the ball out quicker or throwing it away to avoid sacks.

"There are times that we probably need to do that a little bit more, but I wouldn't necessarily say all of those sacks fall into that category," the coach said. "Some of them, it would probably be good to get the ball away.

"Sometimes it's just knowing where the outlet is and launching in that direction out of bounds. But you better be good there, because you're still in the pocket. So you better be sharp and confident with that."

THE ESSENTIALS

Who: Penn State (2-0) at Auburn (2-0)
When: 3:30 p.m., Saturday
Where: Jordan-Hare Stadium
Weather85°, 0% rain, 6-mph wind
TV: CBS
Radio: Penn State Sports Radio Network
Satellite: Sirius XM 84, online 957
Media notes: Penn State | Auburn

TWO REASONS

Two reasons Penn State will win:

1. The Lions have more talent, which shouldn't be up for debate, and on paper are clearly the better team. The fact that they are actually favored as the road team at this SEC venue says a good bit about Auburn.

2. Auburn has struggled against the pass, so Penn State should be able to throw the ball effectively. Clifford was 28-of-32 for 280 yards in last year's 28-20 Penn State win. He won't complete 88 percent against the Tigers this time around, but he still should have a good night, again, as long as the O-line protects him.

Two reasons Auburn will win:

1. The Tigers will run the ball well. Bank on it. Now, it might not be 250 yards, but this is a program committed to the run, with a good offensive line and a bad passing game. So, Auburn has to run the ball well to have any chance, and certainly is capable of it. The Tigers had 182 yards rushing in last year's matchup.

2. I don't think some Penn State fans are respecting just how difficult it can be to play in Jordan-Hare Stadium. Sure, I believe Penn State is the better team. All Penn State fans believe the Lions are better. But crazy stuff happens on the road, especially when you visit a traditional power that fully expects to protect its home turf.

FIVE KEYS

My five keys for Penn State:

1. The defensive line has to control the trenches and stuff the run at the point of attack, or close to it. And the linebackers have to be right there in run support, as well. Plus, the Lions have to tackle very well with good technique, and can't rely on arm tackling. I still have big concerns about the linebacker group, and whether those guys will be up to this difficult challenge.

2. Let's not get too carried away into thinking the offensive line has solved its run blocking problems because the Lions ran well against a terrible Ohio defense. Singleton is a special young player, and who knows, maybe he will have a big game here to assert himself even further into a budding national star. But I just don't see the line opening up many holes for him or anyone else, so all yardage gained on the ground will have to come with a fight.

3. Clifford has a chance to have another huge game in this one, based on the struggles of Auburn's pass defense. San Jose State threw for 275 yards and completed 60 percent last week against Auburn. Clifford has a whole bunch of weapons he can throw to -- wide receivers, tight ends and running backs -- so don't be surprised if he puts up a big passing number (325?).

4. Penn State's offense can't be all or nothing. One of the biggest issues the past two years has been the Lions either get one of Franklin's explosive plays, or else they go three-and-out. That's a slight exaggeration, of course, but the point is Penn State needs to be able to sustain drives. That's going to be difficult to do against this defense.

5. Turnovers and field position are always keys, so it's kind of a copout to mention them. But in what should be a close, coin-flip kind of game, those things are always magnified. Penalties also could be a factor.

PREDICTION

Penn State 22, Auburn 20. That's a lower score and lower margin of victory than many Penn State fans are calling for, but I expect a slugfest that comes down to the wire.

HOW TO BET THE GAME

Penn State is favored by 3. Over/under is 47.5.

This is a really tough one. I would go with Auburn +3, because I could see the Tigers winning outright, so go ahead and take the points with the home underdog. But, if the Lions can run even a decent amount, there's a chance they win by a touchdown or more, because Clifford should have a good game.

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