Offensive keys for Penn State in Week 11

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Offensively, the Penn State Nittany Lions don’t seem to have much of a game plan outside of Kaytron Allen. With a redshirt freshman quarterback and a receiving corps that has underperformed all year, there doesn’t seem much hope that that narrative will change. Still, pride matters to fans and players alike and the way coaches have preached more ambition over the past week in the offensive gameplan, Penn State may believe they have a chance to get a decent return on a talented roster and look like the national title contenders they were expected to be. Here are the offensive keys for Penn State to potentially spring a bold upset on the Indiana Hoosiers in Week 11.

Use tempo in the run game

This may sound like an unusual concept for Penn State fans. After all, the Nittany Lions‘ ground game is more predicated on wearing down the opposition defense than keeping them on their toes. Still, this is perhaps the best run defense the Nittany Lions have faced all year. Only allowing 80 yard per game, their two linebackers play a central role in stopping the run, leading the team in tackles. I’m not saying this could work all the time but having Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton applying pressure on the linebackers more rapidly could potentially neutralize and therefore open up a lot of avenues in the passing game for Grunkemeyer. From what we’ve seen of the young QB, he loves the middle of the field, and Penn State can exploit that area by speeding up their offense…but through the ground rather than through the air.

Practice what Terry Smith has preached

In his Monday press conference previewing the Indiana game, interim head coach Terry Smith vowed that the Nittany Lions would throw the football downfield more often. He especially pointed out the intermediate areas of the field as potential areas that Grunkemeyer could exploit and talked about the integration of younger receivers that maybe Grunkemeyer is more familiar with. It’s one thing to say these things however, and quite another to execute them in an efficient manner. Indiana thrives on takeaways, so Penn State must be careful through the air. But Terry Smith’s words could provide a little bit of optimism for Penn State fans should they be produced on the field.

Sustain drives

This is always paramount when you face a top 5 team in the nation. It was also something Penn State did pretty well in the first half against Ohio State, but couldn’t maintain in the second half. Indiana is yet another team that ranks in the top five nationally in time of possession, and thrive on wearing you down with a dogged run game and an efficient aerial attack. Offensively, Penn State have to counter that in some way. Whether it be with tempo or switching up certain looks against the Hoosiers’ defense, winning the TOP battle is crucial if Penn State wants to stay in this game.

This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Offensive keys for Penn State in Week 11

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