The AP fourth-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions look to build on the momentum from their 35-6 win over the Washington Huskies in the White Out Game last week. This is Penn State’s seventh Big Ten contest of the season, and the Nittany Lions are 5-1 in the conference (8-1 overall) so far. The team’s only loss was a 20-13 defeat to #2 Ohio State. Despite being on the road, Penn State enters this matchup as the clear favorite. However, there is more at stake than just defeating a 1-8 opponent. Following last week’s losses by Miami and Georgia, this week will be about Penn State jockeying for College Football Playoff (CFP) position while taking on Purdue. Following Purdue, Penn State travels to Minnesota before hosting Maryland to end the regular season.
The Purdue Boilermakers enter the game with a record of 1-8 and are searching for their Big Ten win after six straight defeats this year. After starting the season with a 49-0 victory over Indiana State, Purdue has lost eight in a row. Some of those losses have been quite lopsided, like Notre Dame’s 66-7 win over the Boilermakers. However, others have been close, like their 50-49 loss to Illinois. Following the Penn State game, Purdue will travel to Michigan State before traveling to Indiana to finish the season. This game will serve as a figurative playoff game for Purdue.
Penn State vs Purdue Preview
When & Where: Saturday, November 16, 3:30 pm ET, at Purdue (Ross-Ade Stadium)
Last Game’s Results: Penn State rebounded from its only loss this season the week before to defeat Washington 35-6 at home. Purdue lost to Ohio State 45-0 on the road.
Last Season’s Results: Penn State finished ranked #13 after a 10-3 season that ended with a Peach Bowl loss to Ole Miss. Purdue finished with a record of 4-8.
Series History: This is the 21st time the teams will meet. Penn State has won 16 of the 20 prior contests, with Purdue winning three, and one tie. The teams last met in 2022, when Penn State won 35-31. Purdue led the game 24-21 entering the fourth quarter.
Penn State vs. Purdue Preview: Nittany Lions to Watch
Running Back Kaytron Allen
Given CFP implications of the remaining games, “style points” will be at a premium for Penn State. For players like Kaytron Allen, this could mean more reps in games where they would normally be resting. Adding to the intrigue this week is the uncertain status of Allen’s backfield teammate Nick Singleton.
Head coach James Franklin and offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki face an interesting decision. If the game is a blowout, it would be nice to give players like Allen rest for them fresh for the playoffs. However, playing the best players gives the offense the best chance to put up the style points that could be the differentiating factor as they are jockeying for CFP position. Of course, if the game is close, Allen will be essential to winning.
Singleton left the Washington game at the beginning of the second half. Franklin did not have an update after the game. If Singleton can’t go against Purdue, more carries will naturally flow to Allen. Once there is enough on paper for the CFP committee, look for freshman Corey Smith to see action. Smith rushed five times for 95 yards against Washington, including a 78-yard carry.
Allen enters the Purdue game with 634 rushing yards and five touchdowns on the ground this season. He also has 60 receiving yards, and a touchdown catch. He has topped 100 yards on the ground twice. The last time he did this was back in September against Illinois, gaining 102 yards on 18 carries. Against Washington, he had 20 rushes for 98 yards and a touchdown. Allen’s ability to make up for Singleton’s production (if needed), while helping Penn State put a lot of points on the board early, makes Allen a Nittany Lion to watch.
Linebacker Kobe King
Almost as important as putting up a lot of points against Purdue will be keeping the Boilermakers off the scoreboard. Penn State’s defense has only given up 20 or more points twice this season and will look to keep that swagger going. Junior linebacker Kobe King will play a big role in that.
Much of the attention on defense this season has gone to players in the trenches or the defensive backfield. Abdul Carter and Zane Durant have done well to both put pressure on the quarterback and stop the run. While some of the issues seen early in the season (penalties) have continued to pop up, the defensive line has seemingly hit its stride in time for the stretch run. Similarly, despite the long-term injury to KJ Winston, players like Jaylen Reed have continued to step up to provide the leadership and production needed from the defensive backfield.
Entering the season there were questions at linebacker. With Carter moving from linebacker to defensive end, the linebacker group was already fighting an uphill battle to uphold the tradition of Linebacker U. While Tony Rojas and Dom DeLuca have shown flashes at points this season, King needs to be the force in the middle.
Against Washington, King tied for the team lead with seven tackles. He also had a sack for the second straight game, giving him a total of three on the season. King has had seven tackles in five games this season. His ability to eclipse that mark, and produce double-digit tackles, will make him a force to be reckoned with for opposing offenses. This would free up others like Carter and Reed to make even more plays. His ability to unlock his talents, and those of his teammates, makes King a Nittany Lion to watch.
