When the fourth-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions take on Minnesota on Sunday, they will look to take advantage of a golden opportunity against the Gophers. This is Penn State’s eighth Big Ten contest of the season, and they are 6-1 in the conference (9-1 overall) so far. The team’s only loss is a 20-13 defeat to #2 Ohio State. Penn State is still in the thick of the top rankings for the College Football Playoff (CFP). Like last week, this game is about jockeying for the CFP position. Following Minnesota, Penn State will host Maryland to end the regular season. With the regular season finish line in sight, it will be important for coach James Franklin to ensure the Nittany Lions do not overlook Minnesota.
The Minnesota Golden Gophers enter the game with a record of 6-4 and 4-3 in the Big Ten. Minnesota stumbled last week in New Jersey against Rutgers, which stopped a four-game winning streak. Minnesota will wrap up the regular season schedule next week, on the road against Wisconsin.
#4 Penn State (9-1) Takes on Minnesota (6-4): Golden Opportunity Against the Gophers
When & Where: Saturday, November 23, 3:30 pm ET, at Minnesota
Last Game’s Results: Penn State beat Purdue on the road by a score of 49-10. Minnesota lost to Rutgers 26-19 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 6-7, including a win over Bowling Green in the Quick Lane Bowl.
Series History: This is the 17th time the teams will meet. Penn State has won 10 of the 16 prior contests. However, the teams have split the last four games. They last met in 2022, when Penn State won 45-17.
Penn State vs. Minnesota: Nittany Lions to Watch
Quarterback Drew Allar
Overall, Drew Allar has had a great season as the quarterback for the Nittany Lions. However, the questions linger regarding his ability to beat the best teams. While Minnesota is not considered an upper-echelon opponent, their passing defense will provide a good test for Allar.
Coming into this game, Allar has completed a very efficient 71.9% of his passes. That 71.9% ranks fifth in the nation. He has thrown 16 touchdowns to go along with only five interceptions. Interestingly, the five interceptions are more than double the two he threw last season. Allar’s 16 touchdowns are at a pace below last season’s 25. His efficiency rating of 172.32 also ranks fifth in the country. Having weapons like reigning Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week Tyler Warren helps generate stats. Allar has had an undeniably good season albeit with a very different feel from last year.
Minnesota comes into the game boasting a solid pass defense. The Golden Gophers currently rank fourth in the country with 16 interceptions. The defense has generated an interception in each game except for two this season. It will be important for Allar to take care of the ball and avoid throwing costly interceptions on the road. In his Monday press conference, speaking of Allar, Franklin said, “I think he’s played at a really high level for two years, and I think all the data backs that up.” The quarterback’s skill, going up against Minnesota’s turnover-producing pass defense, makes Allar a Nittany Lion to watch.
Defensive End Dani Dennis-Sutton
While Abdul Carter gets a lot of the attention within the Penn State defense, and deservedly so, football is a team game. Defensive coordinator Tom Allen’s players have done well in supporting Carter. Dani Dennis-Sutton, the defensive end opposite Carter, is one such contributor.
Against Purdue, Dennis-Sutton made his first start in three weeks. He suffered an injury against Wisconsin, and barely played at all in the next two games, against Ohio State and Washington. However, while not at 100%, he was much closer against Purdue. Dennis-Sutton picked up a sack on Purdue’s third play.
It will be important for Dennis-Sutton to continue to improve and get healthy as the postseason approaches. His ability to impact the game directly is important. Perhaps more important is the bit of attention he can take off of Carter, potentially freeing up the defense’s star to wreak havoc. On Monday, Franklin spoke of the defense, saying, “I don’t think Tom Allen and the defensive side of the ball is getting enough credit for how good of defense we’re playing.” Dennis-Sutton’s contribution to that, and his ability to provide more impact as he gets healthy, makes him a Nittany Lion to watch.
