Five Things that would show growth from Penn State offense this weekend
The Penn State offense needs to adjust if they want to recover from their dysfunction that led to six points against Ohio State in the meaningful part of last weekend’s loss. Raw point totals won’t fix the Penn State offense against Big Ten basement dweller Indiana. The offense needs to force the issue and make some meaningful changes to how they operate on the football field.
Today, on Friday’s Five Things, we’re running down the five adjustments that could help the Penn State offense achieve a better threat balance for the season’s final stretch.
Join the BWI Live Show today at 10 a.m. on YouTube to get your thoughts on the show as well. Senior Editor Nate Bauer joins the show to discuss today’s five things and take questions from the live chat.
Penn State balance in the passing game
The Nittany Lions have struggled to use the full field this year, relying on select areas and routes to win. Head coach James Franklin acknowledges that this is a problem.
“Yeah, we’ve got to be able to attack the entire field. If most of our production is coming in similar areas of the field, then it makes you easier to defend. There’s no doubt about it,” Franklin said.
We’ll look at where the targets are going and what the production looks like in the under-utilized areas of the field. While offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich likely has plans to fix the issue, we’ll take a stab at it, too. The focus today is helping Drew Allar find easier targets that get more yards. Is it as simple as it sounds?
Top 10
- 1
Rick Pitino
New sheriff in Big Ten?
- 2
Ryan Day
Buyout revealed from new contract
- 3
UNC president
Belichick hire fall out
- 4
'I'm 1-0 vs. PETA'
La. Gov. defends LSU live tiger
- 5
2025 CFB odds
Key game point spreads
Get the On3 Top 10 to your inbox every morning
By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.
Focus on the passing game
Most of today’s show focuses on the Penn State passing game. The Nittany Lions don’t represent enough of a credible threat to open up the running game right now. So, restoring a balanced attack and credible threats is the critical fix. Franklin agrees that the team is behind in this area.
“Yeah, we’re behind in the passing game. I think we’ve shown some flashes,” he said.
Franklin believes that getting Harrison Wallace back up to speed and integrated into the passing game will help. However, the pass-catchers need to step up, and it’s something they’ve been told behind closed doors and now, publicly.
“I don’t want to ever say anything’s divisive between the offense and the defense. Or, a position group feeling like they’re being called out. We do those things behind closed doors. But, the reality is, there’s room for growth there.”
Franklin believes this week is a good chance to take a step forward and execute properly.
“But, this is an opportunity to take a step this week and build confidence moving forward. I think there’s guys in that room that have the ability to do the job and do the job at a high level. But it’s about consistency physically. But, it’s also consistency mentally.”
Join the show to find out what we think that will look like on Saturday.
