Penn State football preview: How to watch Saturday's game vs. Indiana
Geoff MorrowPenn State's college football playoff hopes are all but gone after back-to-back home losses to Ohio State and Michigan State.
But there still exists a great opportunity to flip momentum and close the 2018 regular season on a high note. That opportunity starts this weekend at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Indiana.
Tom Allen's Indiana Hoosiers, like James Franklin's Nittany Lions, have dropped back-to-back Big Ten Conference games, including a lopsided home loss last weekend to Iowa.
Penn State has dominated the all-time series vs. the Hoosiers, and a strong running game and improving defense provide reasons for optimism in this game and beyond while the passing attack and special teams remain inconsistent.
More:Penn State Spotlight: Growing role for two-sport Mac Hippenhammer?
More:Penn State prediction vs. Indiana: Lions look to land enough desperate punches
With conference games remaining against the likes of Iowa, Michigan and Wisconsin, among others, there are still plenty of chances to impress voters and climb back up the polls.
But it must start with a successful trip to Hoosierville. Here are some details on this Saturday afternoon battle:
How to watch
Tune into ABC at 3:30 p.m. Saturday to catch the opening kickoff. Steve Levy will handle play-by-play, with Brian Griese on analysis and Todd McShay providing sideline updates.
Weather: Partly cloudy, high of 59, winds 15-25 mph.
Series: Penn State leads 20-1, including a 45-14 victory in the last meeting, Sept. 20, 2017, at Beaver Stadium.
Betting line: Penn State is a 15-point favorite.
Rankings: Penn State is No. 18 in the Associated Press poll and No. 16 in the Amway Coaches poll. Indiana is unranked and receiving no votes in either poll.
Up next for both: Penn State returns home to Beaver Stadium to host No. 19/22 Iowa at 3:30 next Saturday, while Indiana joins the Friday night football fun with a visit to Minnesota at 8 p.m.
More:After Penn State's back-to-back losses, Trace McSorley among 5 who must thrive at Indiana
Recent PSU/Indiana coverage
- PSU Spotlight: Role grows for Mac Hippenhammer
- Expect Penn State to land its desperate punches
- Franklin focuses on fixing PSU's small leaks
- Bowl projections: More upsets bring more changes
- For Tom Allen, coaching son brings unique challenges
- IU football had player-led meeting Monday
About Penn State
Head coach: James Franklin (5th year, 40-19 record)
Last three seasons
- 2018: 4-2 (1-2 Big Ten)
- 2017: 11-2 (7-2 Big Ten)
- 2016: 11-3 (8-1 Big Ten)
2018 results
- Sept. 1 vs. Appalachian State: W, 45-38 (OT)
- Sept. 8 at Pittsburgh: W, 51-6
- Sept. 15 vs. Kent State: W, 63-10
- Sept. 21 at Illinois: W, 63-24
- Sept. 29 vs. Ohio State: L, 28-27
- Oct. 13 vs. Michigan State: L, 21-17
Top performers in 2018
- Sr. QB Trace McSorley (92-for-170, 1241 yards, 11 TD, 2 INT; 79-447 rushing, 6 TD)
- Jr. RB Miles Sanders (104-700 rushing, 7 TD; 9-58 receiving)
- Fr. WR KJ Hamler (18-374 receiving, 5 TD; 2-32 rushing, TD)
- Jr. LB Jan Johnson (34 tackles, 0.5 sacks, INT)
About Indiana
Head coach: Tom Allen (2nd year, 9-11 record)
Last three seasons
- 2018 record: 4-3 (1-3 Big Ten)
- 2017 record: 5-7 (2-7 Big Ten)
- 2016 record: 6-7 (4-5 Big Ten)
2018 results
- Sept. 1 at Florida International: W, 38-28
- Sept. 8 vs. Virginia: W, 20-16
- Sept. 15 vs. Ball State: W, 38-10
- Sept. 22 vs. Michigan State: L, 35-21
- Sept. 29 at Rutgers: W, 24-17
- Oct. 6 at Ohio State: L, 49-26
- Oct. 13 vs. Iowa: L, 42-16
Local ties: One Pa. guy on the active roster: fr. DL Shamar Jones out of Johnstown. And quality control coach Jeff McInerney is a Slippery Rock graduate who also used to coach at the PSAC school.
Top performers in 2018
- Fr. RB Stevie Scott (115-557 rushing, 4 TD; 10-47 receiving, TD)
- So. QB Peyton Ramsey (172-for-253, 1624 yards, 12 TD, 7 INT; 72-189 rushing, 3 TD)
- Jr. WR Nick Westbrook (22-289, 2 TD)
- Sr. LB Dameon Willis (37 tackles, 2 for loss)
