It’s time to experience the expanded Big Ten. No. 7 Penn State (-28) will return to Beaver Stadium for a clash with new conference opponent UCLA (1-3) on Saturday. The meeting will kickoff at 12 p.m. EDT and broadcast on FOX. It will mark the final leg of a four-game homestand for the Nittany Lions, who play at USC next weekend.
There were struggles against Bowling Green on Sept. 7, then came a demolition of Kent State on Sept. 21 and a convincing ranked win over Illinois last weekend. Here are the keys to victory and a score prediction for the matchup with the Bruins that Penn State should win and win handily. The question: by how much?
PREVIEW: It wasn’t an easy first month for UCLA under its new head coach DeShaun Foster. After narrowly winning their season opener against Hawaii, the Bruins fell to their next three opponents, all currently listed in the AP Top 25 poll. Now comes another roadblock against the Nittany Lions in a game Foster may not have his starting quarterback available.
Ethan Garber, who has started all four games for UCLA this season, was injured against Oregon last weekend. As of Wednesday, Garbers hadn’t taken any physical reps in practice. That could signal a start for backup Justyn Martin. Either way, Garbers has struggled tremendously in 2024 and Penn State’s defense should continue its trend of dominance.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
RB Nick Singleton
The status of one of the Nittany Lions’ most effective offensive players is in question ahead of kickoff. Nick Singleton, the team’s leading rusher and touchdown scorer, was absent from Wednesday’s practice viewing session. James Franklin was asked after practice if there’s anything that could impact Singleton’s availability and said “not at this stage,” but the question still remains.
If Singleton is unable to play or is limited, Kaytron Allen would presume primary ball-carrier duties. And given that third-string Cam Wallace is out with a “long-term” injury, true freshmen Quinton Martin Jr. and Corey Smith could be asked to play an increased role, especially if Penn State is up by a wide margin in the second half.
DE Abdul Carter
It was quite the game for defensive end Abdul Carter against the Fighting Illini. Carter was named the Big Ten defensive player of the week and the national defensive player of the week by both the Bednarik Award and the Nagurski Trophy after tallying seven tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks, a forced fumble and a pass breakup in the victory.
Carter played defensive end, linebacker, and spied Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer en route to his monster performance last weekend. The Bruins’ offensive line most recently allowed four sacks against the Ducks, so Carter could have another big day in store.
KEY TO VICTORY:
No complacency
Penn State showed what a complacent defense looks like in its close win over the Falcons last month. Since then, there hasn’t been a lack of respect for the team’s next two opponents. That desire to win and do so dominantly needs to return on Saturday, ahead of what will be the Nittany Lions’ toughest test yet in Los Angeles against the Trojans.
PREDICTION: Penn State 42, UCLA 7
