Written by Amanda Pavelka (@amandapavelka3)

Last week’s open week was the calm before the storm as Tom Allen and the Indiana Hoosiers face their second-highest ranked opponent of the 2019 season— the No. 9 Penn State Nittany Lions. Can Tom Allen and the Indiana Hoosiers make history once again and pocket their first victory at Beaver Stadium? The answer lies in their ability to accomplish the following:

Run the football

How Indiana’s running back corps are able to maneuver their way through Penn State’s ironclad defensive line will set the tone for Saturday’s matchup. Thus far, the offensive line has held up to standards, even in the absence of key offensive linemen here and there, and Coy Cronk since week four. The Nittany Lions‘ front seven, though, have proven themselves to be a whole another animal— ranked third in run defense nationally, they held the Golden Gophers to three yards per carry on 40 attempts, much less than their 4.22 yards per carry, 195 yards per game average that puts them at 38th in rushing nationally. That statistic is rather unencouraging for Indiana’s 96th-ranked rush offense.

Penn State holds their opponents to an average of 74 rushing yards per game, and both the Hoosiers’ losses come from opponents who held them short of 100 rushing yards— 42 yards against Ohio State and 70 against Michigan State. The running game is key in the Hoosiers offensive success, so Scott and the running backs need to find a way to run the ball on the Lions if they want to see the end zone.

Stop KJ Hamler

A true test is awaiting freshman defensive back Tiawan Mullen in State College, and it comes in the form of junior wide receiver KJ Hamler. Mullen has momentum in his hands on Saturday with his responsibility to starve Hamler’s hunger for monsterous plays. Mullen’s plate will be full— Hamler has 739 yards on 44 catches, eight of which have been touchdowns. Mullen leads IU with seven pass breakups, allowing only four receptions from 18 targets. The more he can find a way to keep Hamler’s hands off the football, the less opportunity Penn State has to feed their scoreboard and fans.

Find any way to the end zone

The Hoosiers may be forced settle for field goals to put points up on Saturday. Luckily the Hoosiers have a reliable kicker in Logan Justus, who is one of five kickers in FBS who have yet to miss a field goal. The Lou Groza award semi-finalist is 12-for-12 for field goals, and 34-for-35 for extra points. That is one area the Hoosiers should not have to question going into College Park. If it comes down to it, the Hoosiers should absolutely utilize Justus’ left leg.

The Nittany Lions’ undefeated season was destroyed by the hands of the Minnesota Gophers last week. The likelihood of Penn State allowing another heartbreaking defeat, and at home, is rather unlikely. A loss to the Hoosiers at home would devastate the Lions’ chances at the Big Ten title, with the return of Chase Young at Ohio State looming. How Penn State responds to last week’s heartbreak will define their postseason. With that being said, how Indiana handles their recent recognition as a top college football squad with their No. 24 ranking in the AP Poll will be a true test to the Hoosiers’ grit.

In the words of Tom Allen: “The gold is tried by fire, silver the same way. Man can be tested by the praise he receives.”

A very different Indiana football squad will have a chance to prove themselves worthy of national attention on Saturday at Noon ET.

The Huddle

Indiana’s Keys to Handling Penn State

Hoosier Huddle