Keys to a Hoosier Upset Victory Over Penn State

Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

The Indiana Hoosiers will be 14-point underdogs against the No. 15 Penn State Nittany Lions. IU is riding a five-game losing streak, but is coming off a bye week and some changes may be on the way. While a win may be unlikely, don’t count the Hoosiers out so quickly. Here are the keys to an IU upset over Penn State on Saturday afternoon.

Play a Clean Game

The Hoosiers have not played a clean game yet this season. While we are not ones for moral victories, the Hoosiers have been in every game this season without playing their best football. IU needs to cut down on their turnovers on offense, clean up missed tackles and eliminate the penalties that either stall their own drives or extend their opponents.

In IU’s five losses they are minus-five in the turnover margin, while in their three victories they are plus-one. Turnovers on offense have been very costly in 2022. Penalties have hurt a struggling offense just as bad. There are too many penalties that put IU behind the sticks on early downs and stall out drives, sometimes before they can even get going.

Play With Nothing to Lose

Most, if not all, people outside of the IU football program expect the Hoosiers to lose out, so why not pull out all the stops the rest of the way? IU has nothing to lose. If they lose to Penn State, it was expected, no big deal. With four games left IU needs to play all the younger players who are physically able to go. They also need to empty the playbook because what are you saving it for?

Roll the dice, take some chances and maybe IU hits the jackpot, maybe they crap out. But take the chance.

Catch Penn State Sleeping

Penn State is coming off their biggest game of the season against Ohio State. They lost 44-31 and nobody would blame them for a sleepy performance on a dreary day in Bloomington. IU is rested and should be foaming at the mouth to get off to a fast start. The Hoosiers are used to playing in front of fewer that 50,000 people. Penn State is not. IU has to use that to their advantage.

Put the Pressure on Sean Clifford

Penn State usually goes how Sean Clifford goes. In the Nittany Lions’ six wins Clifford has a passer rating of 152.76 with 15 touchdowns and three interceptions. In their two losses, albeit Michigan and Ohio State, Clifford’s rating dropped to 121.39 and he has thrown just three touchdowns and three interceptions. Getting pressure on Clifford and forcing him to throw early could give IU’s defense a chance to limit his production.