The Penn State Nittany Lions only have two regular season games remaining for the 2022 season. The
\nNittany Lions are currently ranked #11 in the CFB Playoff Standings and third in the Big Ten East. Sitting
\nat only two losses against Michigan and Ohio State, Penn State looks to finish strong at a 10-2 heading
\ninto a potential New Years Six Bowl matchup. The only two teams standing in the way of those hopes?
\nRutgers and Michigan State. Let’s take a look at Penn State’s final two regular season games.<\/p>\n
Penn State will travel to New Jersey this weekend for a road matchup against a struggling Rutgers squad.
\nThe Scarlet Knights are coming off a three-game losing streak and are sitting at 4-6 on the season with
\nonly one win against a Big Ten opponent. That win came in a close contest against Indiana back on
\nOctober 22nd. Still, the Nittany Lions need to be ready and use the momentum from a shutout win over
\nMaryland to carry them through the Scarlet Knights.<\/p>\n
The Penn State defense was dominant against the Terps on Saturday. Manny Diaz\u2019s<\/strong> group pitched the The Nittany Lions’ rush defense struggled mightily early in the season but has improved since the loss Starting quarterback Sean Clifford<\/a> passed Trace McSorley<\/strong> for the most passing yards in a career in Penn
\nfirst shutout this season and sacked Taulia Tagovailoa<\/a> seven times in a 30-0 victory. This was a defense
\nwithout star cornerback Joey Porter Jr<\/a>. It was indicated by Head Coach James Franklin<\/strong> this week that
\nPorter Jr was out due to appendicitis and is expected to return sometime this season. The Nittany Lion
\ndefense needs to exude the same energy and presence on Saturday against a struggling Rutgers offense.
\nThe Scarlet Knights have used five quarterbacks this season and combined those five have thrown 13
\ninterceptions. Gavin Wimsatt<\/a> will likely get the start again this week for Rutgers. The sophomore has
\nplayed in six games this season and has thrown four touchdowns and six of the Scarlet Knights’ 13
\ninterceptions. The Penn State pass rush will look to keep Wimsatt off balance and force Rutgers to beat
\nthem on the ground.<\/p>\n
\nagainst Michigan. This improvement will be key against a Rutgers offense that really only has the rushing
\nattack with Kyle Monangai<\/a>. Monangai was the bright spot for Rutgers in the loss against Michigan State
\na week ago. The back rushed for 162 yards and was averaging just over six yards per carry. If the Penn
\nState defense doesn\u2019t step off the gas and builds off the last two weeks, look for yet another dominant
\ndefensive performance against a subpar offense.<\/p>\nPenn State Offense vs Rutgers Defense<\/h4>\n
\nState history last week against Maryland. Clifford has amassed 10,023 passing yards so far with two
\nregular season games to go. This was all in a game where the rushing attack shined. The Penn State
\nfreshmen running back duo had yet another great game against Maryland. Nicholas Singleton<\/a> and
\nKaytron Allen<\/a> have been sharing touches all season, with Allen shining as of late. Singleton, however,
\nwas the start of the show on Saturday. The freshman rushed for 122 yards and two 20+ yard touchdown
\nruns. He also earned his third Big Ten Freshman of the Week honor for his performance. Allen wasn\u2019t far behind, rushing for 73 yards.<\/p>\n