Penn State Vs. Rutgers Preview, Predictions
Which Penn State football team shows up Saturday for the regular-season finale? That's the primary question facing the Nittany Lions as they prepare to face Rutgers to close Beaver Stadium for 2023.
After a whirlwind week, during which James Franklin answered a raft of questions about firing offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich and none about the Scarlet Knights, the Lions still have an offense to run. What that will look like under co-coordinators Ja'Juan Seider and Ty Howle is the most fascinating component of Saturday's game.
Penn State (8-2) Vs. Rutgers (6-4)
When: Noon ET Saturday
Where: Beaver Stadium
TV: FS1
Streaming: FuboTV (start your free trial)
Betting Line: Penn State is a 20.5-point favorite, per DraftKings
Series History: Penn State leads 31-2
Last Meeting: Penn State 55-10 in 2022
Streaks: Penn State has won 16 straight against Rutgers since 1989
OFFER: New users receive $150 in bonus bets after their first $5 wager with DraftKings.
The Story Line
Seider, in his sixth year as running backs coach, and Howle, the third-year tight ends coach, will share play-calling duties for the remainder of the season. How? Head coach James Franklin has been coy about the mechanics. Seider will remain on the sideline, and Howle will stay in the booth, but that's the extent of Franklin's insight. The head coach called the process "collaborative," meaning he'll certainly provide input. But Franklin hasn't been one to meddle with play-to-play decisions on gamedays and likely won't take over the play sheet exclusively now.
Seider and Howle both are workaholic personalities — tight end Theo Johnson said no one on staff works harder than Howle — so they'll throw themselves into this. But how might they impact the offense? Certainly, Seider would be inclined to get his backs, Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen, into more favorable run situations. Particularly, Seider should consider more I-formation or Pistol looks to give Singleton some room to run downhill.
Howle, meanwhile, might nudge more passing attempts toward Johnson and Tyler Warren, particularly after Franklin said he sought some easier early throws for Drew Allar that didn't happen. The tight ends did get nine of the 23 targets against Michigan but caught just four passes combined. Warren had only one catch after his 19-yarder on Penn State's field-goal drive in the first quarter.
Seider and Howle coach the offensive skill-position groups that might be the team's most talented and most underused this season. It makes sense for them to advocate for their guys to finish the regular season.
Penn State tight end Theo Johnson scores a touchdown in the Nittany Lions' game against UMass at Beaver Stadium.
Dan Rainville/USA Today Sports
Penn State Players to Watch
Drew Allar: Franklin seemed most troubled that Yurcich wasn't giving the quarterback enough confidence-building pass plays early in games, particularly against Michigan. That's an imperative Saturday.
Olu Fashanu: If you haven't watched the left tackle in focus this season, save a few snaps to concentrate on him. Fashanu's footwork, strength, agility and play understanding make him a fascinating player to watch. And he's playing in his last game at Beaver Stadium, so enjoy it.
Nicholas Singleton: This has been such an unexpected season for Singleton. He led the Big Ten in carries of 40+ yards last season with seven. His longest this year is 20. Singleton averaged 6.8 yards per carry last season. He's averaging 3.9 this year. Maybe the change will unlock something in the sophomore.
Rutgers Players to Watch
Gavin Wimsatt: Rutgers coach Greg Schiano said Wimsatt will remain the starting quarterback despite his completion rate falling for four consecutive games, bottoming out at 38.9 percent last week against Iowa. Wimsatt's road efficiency rating is just 94.21, suggesting that he'll struggle at Penn State.
Kyle Monangai: The Big Ten's leading rusher (94.2 yards per game) is playing hurt and coming off a rough day against Iowa (13 carries, 39 yards). His stat set is forked this season: Monangai has four games under 50 yards and four above 140. So which is it Saturday?
Aaron Lewis: The 6-5, 260-pound defensive lineman is a highlight reel of Rutgers' active defense. He gets in quarterbacks' faces, with a team-high five tackles for loss, three sacks and six hurries.
The Predictions
Max Ralph: This should be more fun than most probably expect. Rutgers is having one of its better years in recent memory, backed by the Big Ten's fifth-best defense and a good running attack. Penn State has all its eyes on the revamped offense, led by Seider and Howle. I don't expect Drew Allar to be a completely remade quarterback but do think Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen might have better success with Seider more involved. Maybe it'll be a first-half scare for Penn State brought home with a strong second half. Penn State 30, Rutgers 13.
Mark Wogenrich: Rutgers hasn't scored more than 10 points in nine Big Ten games against Penn State. It has scored four touchdowns in those nine games. And this offense isn't any better, so scoring isn't the issue. Yet Rutgers has a compelling defense, Schiano's wheelhouse, that will bring some fight. The focus will be squarely on Penn State's offense and how it responds to a season of disappointment and a week of change. Expect an uneven game as part of a fresh start. There might even be a big play or two. Penn State 31, Rutgers 6.
More on Penn State
Drew Allar maintains a 'strong presence' through change
Penn State bowl projections following the loss to Michigan
What we know about Penn State's offensive coordinator search
Potential candidates for Penn State's next offensive coordinator
James Franklin remains 'hopeful and excited' about Penn State's future
Ja'Juan Seider, Ty Howle take over as offensive coordinators for Penn State
Penn State fires offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich
AllPennState is the place for Penn State news, opinion and perspective on the SI.com network. Publisher Mark Wogenrich has covered Penn State for more than 20 years, tracking three coaching staffs, three Big Ten titles and a catalog of great stories. Follow him on Twitter @MarkWogenrich. And consider subscribing (button's on the home page) for more great content across the SI.com network.
