Selection day is quickly approaching for James Franklin and his Penn State program. As it stands, the Nittany Lions (9-1) are in firm contention to earn a College Football Playoff berth and host a first-round game. But first, they’ll need to win two more contests, with a potential trap game at Minnesota (6-4) on the docket this Saturday.
Penn State (-11) and the Golden Gophers will kickoff at 3:30 p.m. ET with broadcasting designated to CBS. How much of a concern does Minnesota present for the Nittany Lions in their search for postseason glory? Let’s break it down.
PREVIEW:
Mute out the analysts and their quarries over Penn State’s No. 4 in the College Football Playoff ranking. There’s no question, at this point of the year, the Nittany Lions deserve to be included among the nation’s top-12 teams, regardless of where the committee has seeded them. That’s because Franklin’s team has hardly been swayed by the opponents it’s supposed to beat.
Enter the Golden Gophers, a team with a stifling defense led by a secondary that leads the Big Ten with 16 interceptions. Sure, Penn State should find a way to knock off P.J. Fleck’s program and inch closer to a coveted playoff bid, but Minnesota should not be underestimated by any means. This is a game the Nittany Lions should win, but it’s not a gimme.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
TE TYLER WARREN
How does a team overpower an imposing defense? By utilizing its best offensive players. For Penn State, Tyler Warren is the heart and soul of offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki’s playbook. He’s the one player that opponents have consistently been unable to stop, even when it’s highly anticipated that he’ll play a major role.
Warren should present a highly difficult assignment for a Minnesota defense that could struggle to figure out whether he’ll run, pass or throw. With increased attention on Warren, that could also open up opportunities for others, such as running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen and a wide receiver corps that has gained some steam over the previous two weeks.
DT ZANE DURANT
The Golden Gophers have been one of the least explosive teams in the Big Ten this year. With a defense that’s been consistently solid, their key to victory is piecing together enough big plays to put points on the board. Running back Darius Taylor, who eclipsed 20 rushes and 130 yards in wins over Illinois and USC, is their best option to do so.
Penn State’s defensive line, led by Zane Durant on the interior, has been one of the nation’s best at stopping the run this season. If Taylor gets hot, Minnesota has a chance. If he doesn’t, it’s unlikely they’ll have enough offensive firepower to keep up with a creative, multi-faceted Nittany Lion offense.
KEY TO VICTORY:
DEFENSE, DEFENSE, DEFENSE
Franklin made the case on Monday that defensive coordinator Tom Allen isn’t getting enough credit for the job he’s done in 2024. On Saturday, more than ever, it’s time for Allen to continue to prove that Franklin’s right. This is not a good Golden Gophers’ offense, and keeping them to just two scores would almost certainly provide the Nittany Lions with a necessary cushion to get past a strong defensive unit.
PREDICTION: Penn State 24, Minnesota 13.
