Penn State vs. Auburn Preview: BWI Daily
Penn State football concludes its home-and-home series with Auburn this Saturday with a trip down to Jordan-Hare Stadium to play the Tigers. Blue White Illustrated publisher Sean Fitz and senior editor Nate Bauer are back to break down the game and give Penn State fans the definitive preview of the matchup.
Penn State practice intel
They start the show with news and notes from Penn State’s open practice on Wednesday night. First, they highlight Theo Johnson’s return and players participating with the team who were previously injured. Next, they give their thoughts on what they saw from players and coaches at open practice.
After finishing up their discussion about the week in Penn State news, they shift their focus to the upcoming game against Auburn. Fitz starts with his view of the Tigers and what they bring to the field as an opponent. Next, they dive into the offense and highlight transfer quarterback TJ Finley, who starts for Auburn. Fitz has watched the film and thinks that Penn State will have specific opportunities that they haven’t so far against this quarterback. With that in mind, Bauer shifts the show’s focus to the running game to understand how the Tigers want to attack the Nittany Lions.
Which quarterback is the better player this weekend?
Fitz wraps up his thoughts about the offense before Bauer shifts the show’s focus to the Penn State offense. It’s not a familiar place, but Fitz thinks that Penn State has an advantage in this game’s key area. They discuss Nick Singlton’s ability to have a follow-up performance to his 179 yards against Ohio and the key receivers that have the chance to make plays based on Auburn’s coverage schemes.
Finally, they give their predictions and scores for the game.
Show rundown
00:00 Show intro
01:10 Theo Johnson and injured player update
03:40 Penn State open practice report
06:00 Penn State vs. Auburn preview introduction
07:02 Auburn quarterback and offensive preview
09:35 Auburn running game
14:00 Quarterback comparison and Penn State offensive preview
17:46 Offensive line vs. Auburn defensive front
20:45 Penn State defense keys to victory
27:45 PSU secondary play against sub-par quarterbacks
29:30 Predictions
Trimmings: Options abound for grad transfer OL Hunter Nourzad
Transfer offensive lineman Hunter Nourzad didn’t need much time to make an impact at Penn State. Arriving after his graduation from Cornell this past June, the multi-year starter for the Big Red was met by universal praise from teammates and coaches.
And, though he hadn’t yet played a game for the Nittany Lions, all of the ingredients were in place for Nourzad to make a strong impression all-around.
“We’re excited about having him. I’m so happy he’s here,” offensive line coach Phil Trautwein said in August. “He’s a great presence in the O-line room. He’s a great person.
“I think me showing them and guys that have been here what this kid is doing already, I think it’s actually motivating everyone in the room. He has a great mindset. He has the mindset that you want. I’m so excited he’s here.”
