Penn State vs. Indiana Game Preview

Penn State vs. Indiana Game Preview
No. 9 Penn State welcomes No. 24 Indiana to Beaver Stadium for its annual Military Appreciation game Saturday at noon. The Nittany Lions look to extend its home winning streak and land back in the win column after suffering a 31-26 loss to Minnesota a week ago. Penn State owns a 21-1 record against the Hoosiers, including being 5-0 record under head coach James Franklin.
 
Indiana enters Saturday's game with a 7-2 record (4-2 Big Ten) and is ranked in two major polls for the first time since 1994. The Hoosiers are riding a four-game winning streak and reached bowl eligibility in eight games, the earliest they have done so since 1993. The Big Ten divisional opponents will square off Saturday at noon on ABC. 
 
Penn State Spotlight
Penn State returns to Beaver Stadium for the first time in nearly a month with a chip on its shoulder. With two home games remaining this season, keep an eye on one particular area this weekend; Penn State's secondary. After allowing 339 yards through the air against Minnesota, Saturday will be an important game for Penn State's passing defense. 
 
The Hoosiers have scored at least 31 points in six consecutive games and boast the Big Ten's leading passing offense averaging 308.0 yards per game through the air. Quarterback Peyton Ramsey will make his 20thcareer start after redshirt freshman Michael Penix Jr. sustained a sternoclavicular joint injury against Northwestern that sidelined him for the remainder of the season. Ramsey ranks second in the Big Ten with a 72.0 completion percentage and is 113-157 for 1,302 yards, nine touchdowns and three interceptions this season. 
 
Penn State ranks fifth nationally in scoring defense and 13thin total defense. Brent Pry's unit leads the country in rushing defense allowing just 2.12 yards per rush and ranks third in FBS allowing 74.2 yards per game on the ground. The Nittany Lions also rank 10thin FBS with 8.1 tackles for loss per game. Look for Penn State's secondary to be targeted and challenged throughout the game on Saturday. 
 
Scouting the Hoosiers
Indiana is Penn State's fourth opponent in the last five games to be ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 and is off to its best start since 1993. The Hoosiers are 0-2 against ranked opponents this season, having dropped its first two Big Ten games against Ohio State and Michigan State. 
 
Tom Allen's squad plays complimentary football in the passing game ranking first in the Big Ten with 308.0 yards per game through the air while ranking fourth in the Big Ten allowing 176.2 passing yards per game on defense. The Hoosiers have score at least 31 points in eight of their last nine games this season, while also ranking second in the Big Ten in time of possession (34:06). 
 
"They are throwing the ball all over the field. They are a spread offense, running the ball probably less than what we have seen from Indiana over the last few years," head coach James Franklin stated during his weekly press conference. "They are throwing it extremely well, predominately 11 personnel team, but they will go empty, they will go 12. They mix in tempo. They go unbalanced. They do it all."
 
The Hoosiers are led defensively by co-defensive coordinators Mark Hagen and Kane Wommack.Linebacker Micah McFadden leads Indiana with 42 total tackles and 6.0 tackles for loss. Defensive lineman Allen Stallings IV is a threat on the defensive front as the senior has recorded 4.0 sacks this season.
 
"They play hard. They are a four-down defense. They do play a variation of robber coverage which we don't see a whole lot and obviously mix in quarters and some man coverage, as well, with blitz behind it," Franklin said on Tuesday. "They are coming in here playing with a lot of confidence, ranked in the Top 25. Kind of how our schedule has been all year long and I know our guys are looking forward to getting back into the stadium and playing a game."
 
Indiana Quick Facts
Head coach: Tom Allen 
Record at Indiana (3rdseason): 17-17
vs. Penn State: 0-2
 
Unrivaled Postgame Show
Former Penn State and NFL quarterback Matt McGloin will join Mitch Gerber for week ten of the Unrivaled Postgame Show. The all-access program can be found on Facebook Live via Penn State's official Facebook page and on GoPSUsports.com. McGloin and Gerber will breakdown every home game by interviewing head coach James Franklin and select student-athletes. The show will start moments after the conclusion of the game. 
 
Game Information
Fans are encouraged to visit Game Day Central for all information as it relates to Penn State football game day traffic, parking, clear bag policy and information on the match up.
 
Penn State Athletics is reminding patrons to arrive early! Beaver Stadium gates will open two hours before kickoff for all games. Early arriving fans will have an opportunity to receive up to a 20 percent discount at the concession stands (see below).