This lofty Penn State football defense has one box yet to check this season.
Something that could make life a lot easier when it goes on the road Saturday against a rested, prepared and plucky opponent, the Minnesota Golden Gophers (3:30 p.m., CBS).
This Nittany Lion defense, led by new coordinator Tom Allen, has been increasingly effective in most every facet the past month. It’s up to No. 4 nationally in total yards allowed (only 272.6 yards per game). It’s No. 5 in stopping the run. It’s No. 6 in yielding points.
Penn State (9-1, 6-1 Big Ten) just hasn’t been very good at taking the ball away from its opponent.
The Lions have forced only 12 turnovers in 10 games − middle of the pack among the nation’s 133 teams. The lone standout has been safety Jaylen Reed (three interceptions).
Meanwhile, Minnesota (6-4, 4-3 Big Ten), for all of its hot and cold play, has been remarkably consistent and efficient at taking the ball away on defense (20 forced turnovers) and protecting it on offense (eight turnovers). The Gophers have already intercepted 16 passes.
It’s an intriguing factor that could tilt a game the Lions have no business losing. They are a 12-point favorite. They are more talented, deeper and productive than Minnesota in most every major factor.
Turnovers could be the one thing that keep the Gophers in the game at home.
Penn State football: How to avoid a Minnesota upset
Coach James Franklin broke down what is otherwise-elite defense needs to improve in this regard:
“The first thing is shots on goal, what we call it. Making sure the second (defender on a play) is stripping and punching at the football. A few years ago, we were causing a decent amount of fumbles but not recovering them. So making sure we’re doing both at a high level.
“Then I think we’re doing a pretty good job of PBUs and contested catches, (but) we’ve got to come with a few of those. There’s been a couple that are 50-50 balls, and the way the rules are in college football, the tie goes to the offense. We’ve got to find a way to win a few more of those …
“The next step is not just the confidence of breaking the ball up but actually going after the ball.”
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The key on Saturday, then, will not be just halting the running of Minnesota’s Darius Taylor (5 yards per carry) but pressuring, disrupting and making life more difficult than usual for quarterback Max Brosmer. Force him to rush things. Pressure him into mistakes.
Create a couple of turnovers.
Doing that could trigger another landslide Penn State victory.
Likewise, allowing the Gophers − the best turnover-ratio team in the Big Ten − to take advantage could keep them in the game, brew an upset − and put them in peril of missing the College Football Playoff.
It’s the most important opportunity yet, in a sense, for this improving top-five Penn State team. To conquer one thing it just hasn’t quite yet.
Bodani’s prediction: Penn State 27, Minnesota 13
Frank Bodani covers Penn State football for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at fbodani@ydr.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @YDRPennState.
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