Penn State-Minnesota matchups: Who will have the edge on Saturday?

Penn State hopes to bounce back from its first loss of the season on Saturday when Minnesota visits. The annual White Out game starts at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC. The network’s crew of Joe Tessitore, Greg McElroy, and Kate Davis will have the call.

“Like everybody else in the country does when you get a tough defeat,” head coach James Franklin said following a 41-17 setback at Michigan. “You learn from it. You make the adjustments, you make the corrections and get back to do what you got to do to be 1-0 next week. This game can’t linger. Talking about games in the future doesn’t matter.

“We got to find a way to do 1-0 next week. We’re going to need everybody in that locker room, everybody in Happy Valley, and in the Penn State community, to stick with us and rally around us. We’re 5-1. That’s what we are. Very clearly that’s where we are. We own it. We’re 5-1. That’s what we are. The losses aren’t bigger than what they are and the win aren’t bigger than what they are.”

Who will have the edge on Saturday? We take a closer look at the Lions and Golden Gophers.

When Penn State has the ball

Will Penn State have starting quarterback Sean Clifford available? That’s easily the biggest question on Mike Yurcich’s side of the ball entering the week. The senior was hurt and pulled out of the game against the Wolverines late in the fourth quarter. FOX reported that he had a shoulder issue. If that keeps him out of the lineup, expect freshman Drew Allar to make his first career start.

Either way, Penn State must be able to run the ball. In its two losses this season, head coach PJ Fleck’s team has 160 and 220 yard on the ground. It has allowed 136 or less in each of its four wins. So, the key will be to get Nicholas Singleton, Kaytron Allen, and Keyvone Lee going early for the best possible outcome. The Lions backed away from the run, partially due to the score, last week. That is a trend of the Mike Yurcich era that must be broken on this particular game day.

When Penn State passes, however, it must keep the pocket clean. The Golden Gophers do not have a particularly strong pass rush. Thus, there should be no excuse for not giving whichever quarterback plays enough time to throw. Minnesota has a good defense statistically but it has not faced many good offense. And, beyond that, it has the Big Ten’s fewest sacks so far with just nine through six games. After an unproductive week, this should be one where the Lions’ attack bounce back.

EDGE: Penn State

When the Lions have the ball

Minnesota is facing its own quarterback conundrum. Tanner Morgan left last week’s loss after suffering a blow to the head. His status for this week is unclear as of Wednesday morning. Athan Kaliakmanis is likely to start if Morgan cannot.

“He surprisingly woke up and felt really good, but he’s in our medical care and under that umbrella right now,” Fleck said Monday. “But he’s doing he’s doing very well.

“And in terms of the quarterback situation, we have other quarterbacks that can play if he’s not able to go, but that’s not necessarily just ruled out yet. But I’m not the one in charge of all those decisions. That’s our medical team. And I know he’s very, very good care. And he’s doing really well.”

Minnesota will focus on its ground game either way with star Mohamed Ibrahim leading the way. He is one of the Big Ten’s best rushers and already has 694 yards and nine touchdowns. The Penn State rush defense must be gap accountable this week after it wasn’t against the Wolverines if it wants to slow the Gophers down. They are big along the offensive line but are unimpressive at receiver. If the Penn State run defense from the first five weeks shows up, Minnesota will have a hard time moving the ball. But, after last week, we know that isn’t a guarantee. Still, we’ll give the Lions a slight advantage based on the quarterback situation.

EDGE: Penn State

Final thoughts

Penn State is only a five-point favorite, which frankly feels a bit light. However, based on last weekend’s outcome, it makes sense. That said, the Lions have an edge on both sides of the ball and special teams should not prove to be a game-changing factor on either sideline. Thus, if Penn State plays up to its ability, the combination of that talent plus a frenzied White Out game crowd will give the home side a considerable edge in this Big Ten crossover clash.