Oct 22, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Chris Godwin (12) reacts following his touchdown catch against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the second quarter at Beaver Stadium. Photo Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Suddenly, the door to a berth in the Big Ten Championship Game is wide open for Penn State and what was unthinkable just weeks ago — a shot at the four-team College Football Playoff — is within reach.
Unfortunately for the No. 9 Nittany Lions (8-2, 6-1 Big Ten), walking through that door could prove tougher than most expected.
No. 4 Michigan’s shocking loss to Iowa means the Wolverines, Nittany Lions and No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes all have one conference loss. Penn State still needs Michigan to lose again while the Nittany Lions win the remainder of their games. Both of those don’t seem all that improbable when considering Penn State’s final two opponents and Michigan still to play the Buckeyes.
Penn State still has to take care of business, however.
Although Penn State’s final two opponents are a combined 1-13 in conference play, the Nittany Lions are experiencing injury woes that could set back an offense that has taken off under first-year coordinator Joe Moorhead. Like the beginning of the season where the Nittany Lions were down all three starting linebackers, the injury bug has hit hard at another spot.
Penn State is expected to play without its top three offensive tackles when it travels to Piscataway, N.J. to play Rutgers (2-8, 0-7 Big Ten) on Saturday. Starter Andrew Nelson was lost for the season weeks ago and fellow starter Brendan Mahon is not expected back this week. Compounding the issue, Paris Palmer was hurt early against Indiana and promising young guard Connor McGovern also went down.
That leaves Penn State with just one upperclassman starter — center Brian Gaia — and a bunch more questions for coach James Franklin. Does he go to veteran reserves Wendy Laurent and Derek Dowrey? Or does he burn a redshirt in order to fill the holes up front?
NOTES, QUOTES
PLAYERS TO WATCH
–RB Saquon Barkley was hounded all afternoon by a pesky Indiana defense that sold out to stop him. In the process, Barkley took a couple of big hits and was twisted awkwardly to the ground on two occasions. He’s already 18 carries over the 182 he finished last season with so it’ll be interesting to see how and if the coaching staff manages his reps with two games left and the stakes suddenly much higher.
–WR Chris Godwin has made the most of his targets lately. Godwin has the perfect blend of finesse and grit. He runs smooth routes, usually outmuscles foes for 50/50 balls making him a good bet to catch balls even in the tightest of coverage and finishes defenders off by lowering his shoulder when he has a chance to. His ability to adjust to underthrown balls has also made him a headache for safeties to cover deep. Godwin’s caught five touchdown passes in the last four games.
–C Brian Gaia is the only veteran starter left on Penn State’s offensive line and will have to make accurate, timely reads to get his younger, inexperienced teammates on the same page to handle Rutgers’ pressures.
–CB Grant Haley was outsized by Indiana receivers last week and will be giving up inches to Rutgers’ 6-foot-3 wideout Andre Patton who’s caught 15 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns over the last four games. He was held catchless last week, however. If Rutgers can’t run the ball, look for them to take shots as Indiana did and they might pick on Haley first.
–LB Jason Cabinda fills rushing lanes quickly and is Penn State’s best bet to shut down Rutgers’ rushing game. He’s also been critical to the turnaround of the front seven helping players get lined up and shift depending on different looks.
