Northwestern football hosts No. 6 Penn State

Penn State's coach, James Franklin, wants to see more explosive plays from his team's offense in addition to their strong defense.

The upcoming game between the Nittany Lions and Northwestern in Evanston is highly anticipated, as Penn State boasts the nation's toughest defense and an impressive 11-game streak of scoring at least 30 points. The team has outscored their opponents by an impressive 127 points and recently held Iowa to a mere 76 yards in a dominant 31-0 victory. Coach James Franklin is pleased with the team's performance but hopes to see more explosive plays on offense.

Franklin emphasizes the importance of balance in the team's gameplay. While they have shown the ability to run and pass effectively, he believes they need to demonstrate their ability to grind it out for a win as well. Franklin acknowledges that their opponents' defensive strategies have influenced their gameplay, with Iowa playing soft on the perimeter and Illinois employing a safety playing deep. Despite these challenges, Penn State has managed to grind out long possessions and maintain control of the game.

The Nittany Lions have showcased their offensive prowess with 11 touchdown drives lasting at least four minutes. Additionally, they had a remarkable 17-play possession that resulted in a field goal and consumed nearly 7 1/2 minutes of game time. Their upcoming game against Northwestern presents opportunities for big gains, as the Wildcats have struggled to stop the run, allowing an average of 184.5 rushing yards per game. Penn State's strong rushing attack, led by Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton, ranks second in the Big Ten with an average of 210 yards per game.

Northwestern faces a tough challenge as they haven't beaten a team ranked sixth or higher since 1996. While they have won two of their last three games after a 12-game losing streak, they still have a long way to go. Quarterback Drew Allar's efficient decision-making has contributed to the team's success, as he prioritizes working through his progressions and taking check-downs to avoid sacks and maintain a high completion percentage. Allar currently leads the Big Ten with eight touchdown passes and boasts an impressive 67.2 completion percentage.

On the other side, Northwestern's quarterback Ben Bryant had a standout performance in their recent game, throwing for 396 yards and four touchdowns. He received significant support from Bryce Kirtz, who recorded career highs with 10 catches for 215 yards and two touchdowns. The team is starting to find their rhythm and build chemistry, according to interim coach David Braun.

Overall, the game between Penn State and Northwestern promises to be an exciting matchup. Penn State's dominant defense and balanced offense will be tested against Northwestern's improving gameplay. Both teams will be looking to secure a crucial victory and continue their positive momentum in the season.