Penn State prediction vs. Indiana: Lions look to land enough desperate punches

Frank Bodani
York Daily Record
Trace McSorley (9) sends a pass down field during the Penn State Homecoming game against Michigan State, October 13, 2018. The Nittany Lions fell to the Spartans 17-21.

Their response will mean everything after the most disappointing three weeks.

It's been a long time since the Nittany Lions walked off the field as winners, and if this season will be saved it must start with a more opportunistic approach in Bloomington, Indiana. 

The Lions must force the issue on both sides of the ball against a team that suffered an even more demoralizing homecoming defeat last Saturday.

The once-promising Hoosiers were rocked by Iowa, highlighted by another dreadful day defending the pass.

Sound familiar? 

The Michigan State Spartans offered similar inviting weaknesses before clamping down on Trace McSorley and his receivers in ways unexpected.

More:James Franklin focuses on fixing small leaks to get Penn State back on track at Indiana

More:Penn State at a crossroads: Saving a season starts with fixing the offense

This team is too talented, and McSorley is too good of a leader to let this go unfixed. Expect a bounce-back throwing performance from the senior with more targets employed — even if they are younger ones like Mac Hippenhammer, Cam Sullivan-Brown and Justin Shorter.

Expect Miles Sanders to emerge in the pass game and Tommy Steven to re-appear in the "Lion" role as a utility star. 

The team is pinned against the wall, especially on offense, and changes will be made. 

The defense must simply make the Hoosiers pay for their mistakes, unlike against Michigan State. 

Miles Sanders (24) comes to terms with a tough loss after the Penn State Homecoming game against Michigan State, October 13, 2018. The Nittany Lions fell to the Spartans 17-21.

"As far as the linebacker group, we had our best game, actually," said senior Koa Farmer. "Everyone graded out a winner. I actually had my best game. Everyone had their best game, to be honest.

"But as far as defensively as a whole, I just think the big message this week is, we have to do everything in our power to not drop those interceptions, miss those tackles, to get off the field" on third downs. 

And to finish the game as well as they begin it. Because the Hoosiers will punch back, led by bruising tailback Stevie Scott and QB Peyton Ramsey, who will spray short and intermediate passes all over the field — and run well when asked.

Penn State still seems quite capable of unleashing its own snow squall of points on the next vulnerable opponent.

How they go about dealing with their adversity will mean everything.

Bodani's prediction: Penn State 34, Indiana 21