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Offense
Penn State: Scoring on eight of its first nine possessions last week was good. Settling for four field goals was not. Nor was running game averaging just 3.8 yards per carry against Charmin-like defense. Says a lot that PSU's receivers had nine first-half catches after having just one game with double-digit receptions a year ago, that coming vs. Kent State.
FIU: Panthers looked strong in coach Willie Simmons' debut, scoring touchdowns on their first four series with all four drives covering 67 or more yards. Equally impressive was the balance with nearly identical yardage totals, 233 rushing and 223 passing. Three running backs went over 49 yards and QB Keyone Jenkins scored twice while having an efficient passing night.
Advantage: Penn State
Defense
Penn State: Dani Dennis-Sutton is becoming Abdul Carter before our eyes. Holding Nevada to minus-8 yards on seven separate possessions is good start for Jim Knowles' defense but again, it was Nevada so who can really tell where this unit is headed? Lots of focus on the receiver transfers, but don't overlook linebacker Amare Campbell (North Carolina) who made team-high six solo tackles.
FIU: FIU allowed 27 or more points eight times last season, but looked improved, not allowing a touchdown for the first time since 2019. Panthers also made fourth-down stops on all three Bethune-Cookman attempts. They call linebacker Johnny Chaney Jr. "Chainsaw," and he chopped down the offense with six solo tackles and a forced fumble.
Advantage: Penn State
Special teams
Penn State: Ryan Barker built off last year's success, drilling all four field-goal attempts, although all were inside 40 yards. Barker is 19-of-23 in his two seasons, and going 6-of-8 from 40 or more last year gives PSU a special teams weapon if trend continues. So could King Mack, who ripped off 73-yard kick return last week. Narrator's voice: But it was Nevada.
FIU: Keep an eye on C'Quan Jnopierre -- since he likely will be fielding many kickoffs -- after he averaged 25.8 yards on four returns a week ago. Punter Trey Wilhoit punted twice, and both were good ones, going for 51 yards each time. UAB transfer Noah Grant missed his one field-goal attempt and is in a new role after being used as just a kickoff specialist a year ago.
Advantage: Penn State
Coaching/intangibles
Penn State: Penn State did what it needed to do last week and likely will do so again Saturday. Honestly, I don't know what benefit playing this cream puffs every week serves. I get it, the league is tough, but with playoffs now taking 12 teams, a non-conference schedule this weak is really inexcusable.
FIU: Simmons could be a coach who rises through the ranks after flourishing as Duke's running back coach last fall and helping the Blue Devils go 9-3. He had an excellent six-year run at Florida A&M, turning the program around and going 45-13. His teams were especially strong in league play, going 34-5.
Advantage: Penn State
Masse’s prediction record: 1-0
Prediction: I actually like the direction FIU is headed, but Penn State is not Bethune-Cookman. It's another tune-up game for Lions, who will secure victory by halftime and keep trying to iron out the wrinkles before league play. Penn State 51, FIU 7
Chris Masse is a sports writer for the Williamsport Sun-Gazette, a sister paper of the Mirror and part of Ogden Newspapers.