PSU looking for offensive push
STATE COLLEGE >> Penn State needs more out of its offense or the 21st-ranked Nittany Lions might not get much more out of their season.
The team started the year with Big Ten championship and playoff hopes and had averaged 49 points over a
24-3 stretch. But the Nittany Lions have hit a wall with Wisconsin (6-3, 4-2 Big Ten) up next.
Penn State (6-3, 3-3, No.
20 CFP) will try to erase last week’s humiliating loss in Ann Arbor where its offense was held to single digits for the first time since 2014.
“It’s going to be very important that we find a way to establish the run game,”
COLLEGE FOOTBALL: FIVE THINGS TO KNOW
BEST GAME
No. 8 Ohio State at No. 24 Michigan State: For all their issues through nine weeks of the season, the Buckeyes are 10th in the playoff rankings and still in position to win the Big Ten by simply winning all their remaining games. The Spartans present an interesting challenge. Michigan State’s offense is 116th in the country in yards per play (5.00) and has been shuffling between Brian Lewerke, who has been dealing with a shoulder injury, and redshirt freshman Rocky Lombardi. Seems like a good weekend for the Buckeyes to get their struggling defense (82nd in the nation at
5.82 per play) back in order. But on the other side, Michigan State has one of the best run defenses in the country to throw at an Ohio State running game that has at times left QB Dwayne Haskins and the offense one-dimensional. An Ohio State victory sets up an almost inevitable Big Ten East title game between the Buckeyes and No.
4 Michigan, but Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio has made a career messing up best laid plans for the those two teams. HEISMAN WATCH
Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson: We Penn State coach James Franklin said. “So there’s not so much on the shoulders of Trace McSorley.”
The Nittany Lions averaged 252 yards rushing through the first six weeks of the season and had 200plus on the ground in nine straight games, dating back to last year. They’ll take to Beaver Stadium on Saturday looking for a spark after averaging just 120 rushing over the last three games.
Running back Miles Sanders has remained diligent. He said the backs paid a visit to the offensive line room this week to let the linemen know they have faith in them. Franklin does, too. He’s seen them crack open holes for Sanders, whose patient approach can quickly all know a QB is almost a lock to the win the Heisman and it’s probably Tua Tagoaviloa of Alabama. Oklahoma’s Kyler Murray, West Virginia’s Will Grier and Haskins could still have a say, too. Etienne is the one running back who might be able to break into the field. His biggest issue is touches. The sophomore is averaging just under
13 carries per game, but 8.6 yards per carry with 15TDs. If Boston College can mount a challenge, maybe the Tigers will give Etienne a few more meaningful touches and the chance to direct some Heisman attention his way. NUMBERS TO KNOW
9: TDs allow by Mississippi State this season, fewest in the country.
21: Consecutive games won by No.
11Central Florida. The Knights try to make it 22against Navy.
162-30: The combined score of the last three games Michigan played against Rutgers, all won by the Wolverines. No. 4 Michigan is at Rutgers on Saturday.
0-9: No. 16 Fresno State’s record at Boise State. The Bulldogs visit the blue turf on Saturday.
1984: The last time Kentucky won at Tennessee. The 12th-ranked Wildcats try to make it victories in consecutive seasons against the become big plays — like a 48-yard touchdown sprint through multiple tacklers against Michigan State four weeks ago.
But those chunk runs have been rare, especially as McSorley, the other cog in the two-headed rushing attack, has dealt with a sore right knee.
“Miles has shown that he can be a big-play back in this conference and that he can carry the load and get you the tough yards, as well as the big plays,” Franklin said. Volunteers on Saturday.
OFF THE RADAR
UAB (8-1, 6-0) has won seven straight games, a program record, and can clinch the Conference USA West Division by beating Southern Mississippi on Saturday in Birmingham, Alabama. In just its second season after restarting the program, UAB could lock up a spot in the league’s championship game. The Blazers have held five of six C-USA opponents to seven points or less. HOT SEAT WATCH
The Sunflower Showdown between Kansas and Kansas State has been dominated by the Wildcats, who have won nine in a row. But both slog into this at 3-6, needing to win out to become bowl eligible. Kansas has already said coach David Beaty won’t return. What about K-State coach Bill Snyder? The 79-year-old Hall of Famer signed a contract extension before the season, but that seemed more symbolic than anything else. There is mounting sentiment that it is time to move in a new direction, but Snyder doesn’t seem to want to budge. Losing to the Jayhawks might change that dynamic in Manhattan.