The Boilermakers showed significant improvement in Saturday's 27-14 loss at Nebraska despite being shut out in the second half. It keeps hope alive for a strong finish to its 2016 season with three of its last five games in Ross-Ade Stadium.
One of those home games in this Saturday, Oct. 29 when Purdue (3-4 overall, 1-3 Big Ten) plays host to No. 24 Penn State (5-2, 3-1). The Boilermakers are looking for their first win over a ranked team since beating Illinois in 2011. Penn State shocked the college football world with a come-from-behind 24-21 win over No. 2 Ohio State this past Saturday. (Highlights here.)
Oddsmakers have made the Boilermakers as a 11.5 'dog for the noon ET kickoff which will be televised by ABC/ESPN2. Ticket information here.
Here are three things you can ponder when looking at Penn State:
1. Penn State really, really needed a win like it earned over Ohio State ...
... and so did Coach James Franklin. Despite a team that is not totally up to speed on the heels of sanctions levied five years ago, the natives were getting restless in Happy Valley after a non-competitive blowout loss at Michigan a few weeks back. This win, though the Lions were statistically outplayed, was the first for Franklin against a ranked opponent in his three seasons in Happy Valley. Now the Lions can set sail for a 10-win season as they will be favored in every remaining regular season game in 2016.
2. The Lions' defensive front will test Purdue
PSU front had six sacks and 11 tackles-for-loss against Ohio State. Most of all, when the chips were down on the Buckeyes last drive to win or tie the game in the closing minutes, the Lions had consecutive sacks of J.T. Barrett to seal the deal.
3. Penn State's offense may not be great, but ...
Beware of its special teams. Grant Haley's 65-yard return of a blocked field goal for the game-winning touchdown will not be forgotten soon in Happy Valley. Actually, outside of that play the Lions' special teams weren't all that great, as a poorly handled snap resulted in an Ohio State safety. Quarterback Trace McSorley is crafty. He may have completed only 8-of-23 passes in the game, but made plays with his feet gaining 63 yards while under pressure from the OSU front. Running back Saquon Barkley managed 99 yards on just 12 carries, an 8.3 average and will force the Boilermakers to prove it can stop the run for more than half of a game as it did in Lincoln. Barkley is one of the league's best with eight touchdowns and a 5.3 per rush average.
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