The primetime game of this week is #22 Auburn at #10 Penn State. It is a rare competition between the Big Ten and the SEC. This could be a huge game for both teams and could push Auburn into the top 10 and could push Penn State into the top 5.
Penn State Nittany Lions
This is going to be a huge test for Penn State and their offense and defense. Penn State won a huge game against Wisconsin during week one 16 to 10 and it carried on to week two. Week two they played Ball State and won 44 to 13. Sean Clifford and Noah Cain are playing well this season. Clifford has 477 passing yards, and 2 touchdowns and Cain has 117 yards and 2 touchdowns. They played a complete game against Ball State, by scoring 10 or more points in all four quarters. The Wisconsin game was a defensive game and neither team could find an answer to pull away.
Penn State needs to get back to rushing the ball because passing will not be able to win them this game. They had only 50 rushing yards during the Wisconsin game, and they did have 240 rushing yards against Ball State, but Auburn is not the same as they are. They need to have an even contribution from both the running backs and the quarterback. If they can figure out rushing against a good defensive team then they will have a better chance of winning the game.
Auburn Tigers
Auburn will be facing its first true test this season. They were able to dominate the first two weeks against two opponents that are not Penn State. During week one, they beat Akron 60 to 10 and Bo Nix was 20-22, 275 yards, and 2 touchdowns. In addition, Tank Bigsby had 13 carries for 119 yards and 2 touchdowns. During week two, they beat Alabama State 62 to 0 and Nix had a lot slower game. He had 108 yards and 2 touchdowns and Bigsby was able to break 100 yards again. Auburn looked amazing the first two games.
Auburn needs to continue what they have been doing the first two games. Their rushing game will be able to win them this game if they can get it started early. Their passing game needs to get better than it was during game two. If they get all sides of the ball going and control the game early, then they will be able to dominate this game. They have over 1,000 total yards in the first two games, and they will have to continue the high-scoring, high pace play.
If you look at the stats, Auburn has had the better start and the better yardage. However, the teams that they have played were not the best. Penn State has had hard games and played better teams. The difference in this game is that it is in Penn State, and it is a white-out game. This will be a huge win for either of these teams and might be the factor Penn State would need to get into the College Football Playoffs.
My Prediction: Penn State wins 28 to 24.
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