Penn State travels down some Country Roads to Battle West Virginia in Morgantown

Tagged under: News, Pennsylvania Colleges, pfn

Mason Eddinger | August 28, 2024

Once again, the nation gathers for another year of college football. This time around, the scenery has changed, drastically. The era of the transfer portal and conference realignment has destroyed many of College Football’s greatest traditions, but not this one. The Penn State-West Virginia rivalry is one of the few traditions that has not been slain by the constant changing of College Football.

What were you doing in 1904? Of course, nothing, because you weren’t born yet. Penn State and West Virginia were starting one of the greatest rivalries the sport has seen. Although it doesn’t get the recognition that “The Game” or “The Iron Bowl” gets, it is one of College Football’s best spectacles. Names such as Harris, Ham, Mcafee, and Austin have built these storied programs. In the inaugural year of the new 12-team playoff, Penn State and West Virginia have real hopes to play for a National Championship come December.

Over the years, the Nittany Lions can be described as good, but not great. Since James Franklin arrived, Penn State has had six seasons of 10 or more wins, but no playoff bids during that span. Penn State returns 67% of last year’s production, coupled with the expansion of the playoff, a perfect storm could be brewing.

Junior QB Drew Allar steps into his biggest season yet as the signal caller for Penn State. Last year, Allar was uber-efficient, tossing 25 TDs and giving away just 2 INTs. The problem for Allar was his performance in PSUs two losses. In the Michigan and Ohio State losses one year ago, Allar threw under 50% completion percentage and totaled just 261 yards in those games. Luckily for Allar and Penn State, they do not have to play Michigan or Oregon in BIG ten play this year, but they will run into Ohio State. Having the Buckeyes of Ohio State at home will be a huge plus for PSUs chances to win that game, but there is a downside to this advantage. With the Ohio State game at home, it makes this Saturday’s affair in Morgantown against WVU arguably the toughest atmosphere PSU will have to play in all year. While other prestigious programs are beating up on cupcakes all weekend long, Penn State takes the high road and walks into a hostile environment in week 1.

The blueprint to handle a tough crowd on the road is to drain them out by establishing the run, and PSU has two electric backs to do the job. After an incredible freshman season that saw Nick Singelton rush for over 1000 yards, he had Heisman written all over him. This past year, he hit a road bump. His carries increased from his freshman year, but his yards decreased by over 25%. When Singelton isn’t getting it going, Kaytron Allen does a phenomenal job spelling him. Last year, Allen was just short of the 1000-yard mark in a true 2-RB backfield.

After PSU lost production at WR, former 5-star and #1 player in the country Julian Fleming transfers in from Ohio State. Fleming was blockaded behind several 1st-round NFL wide receivers at Ohio State, now he gets his chance at Penn State. Add in Kaden Saunders, Harrison Wallace and Liam Clifford, and this Penn State receiving group should be an improvement over the last few years.

Almost all great rushing attacks stem from having an outstanding offensive line. In 2023, PSU allowed just 16 sacks across the season, ranking 2nd in the conference behind Rutgers. After losing three offensive linemen to the NFL draft in April, the offensive line will need guys to step up and fill major holes, so Penn State went to the portal. Although he played in just three games a year ago at Wisconsin, Nolan Rucci had the highest grade according to PFF ( Pro Football Focus). Head Coach James Franklin has been thrilled with his progress in camp and even went as far as to say that Rucci is “thriving” at PSU. Overall, it is a very experienced offensive line, with C Nick Dawkins and RG Sal Wormley are Redshirt Seniors.

One of the staples of historic Penn State teams is the great defenses they’ve had over the years, and this year should be no different. In 2023, they ranked 3rd in the nation in Points Per Game Allowed at 14. After plenty of defensive players have left in recent years for the NFL draft, they still return a lot of experience on the defensive side of the ball. Across the defense, just one player is a sophomore or younger in Tony Rojas. The staple of the defense is projected first-round pick Abdul Carter off the Edge. Carter has a real case to put himself into the conversation for best Edge rusher in the country depending on his play this year. The defense will be tested early and often against a great air Attack of WVU.

Morgantown is buzzing. The Mountaineers of West Virginia are riding the momentum of last year into the new campaign, and the expectations are sky-high. Home underdog, everyone doubting them, and no players in the top 100 is incredible motivation for WVU to pull off an upset. In a BIG 12 that is as wide open as any conference in the sport, West Virginia could be in for a program-changing season.

Garrett Greene will take the reigns for WVU in 2024, after an impressive 2023 campaign. Greene is as experienced as they come, as he is entering his 5th year of College Football. RB Jaheim White excelled as a freshman in 2023, averaging over 7 yards per carry and over 800 rushing yards. Couple White improving and Greene’s experience and WVU is nobody to be sleeping on in 2024.

In front of sold-out West Virginia faithful, Penn State will have its hands full in week 1. As Lee Corso would say, I think this one will be “closer than the experts think”.

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