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Penn State
Offense: In this bleak season, Kaytron Allen has provided some light, as he tries becoming PSU's all-time leading rusher. Allen needs 138 yards and 139 to break Evan Royster's record of 3,932 yards. Nick Singleton moved into fourth last week and is 68 yards from passing Curt Warner for third. Allen is 83 yards from 1,000 for second straight year.
Defense: Take away a 57-yard touchdown run on the first play and PSU held Michigan State to 3.6 yards per play last week. This was the defense many thought they would see all season with Lions collecting five sacks, eight tackles for loss and dropping the hammer in the fourth quarter. Amare Campbell has moved into the top 10 among Big 10 tacklers with 76 tackles.
Special teams: Punter Gabe Nwosu has come on strong and started changing the game's complexion with a well-placed second half punt in East Lansing. His 46 yards per kick is second in the Big 10. Kicker Ryan Barker is a blocked field goal from a perfect season. He's been able to protect that stellar percentage, however, the last few weeks, having only had to attempt two field goals.
Coaching/intangibles: I don't think Terry Smith is the long-term answer but he's done a mighty good job in a difficult situation. From coming within a miraculous catch of beating No. 2 Indiana to thumping Michigan State, Penn State has played with far more energy than it did in James Franklin's last two games.
Nebraska
Offense: Patrick Mahomes clone Dylan Raiola is out for the season and TJ Lateef carried the torch in a big way, going 13 of 15 for 205 yards and three touchdowns at UCLA. He is completing 85.3 % of his passes in a limited sample size. This, though, is a running team first and Emmett Johnson is the Big 10's leading rusher with 1,131 yards while averaging 5.6 yards per carry.
Defense: The Blackshirts D of the 90s this is not. It is respectable, though, and actually is fourth among Big 10 teams in yards allowed while surrendering 19.9 points per game. Nebraska has not been very opportunistic, forcing 12 turnovers in 10 games, but Javin Wright is a standout linebacker who has 72 tackles, 1 ½ sacks and an interception.
Special teams: Kyle Cunanan is 12 of 15 on field goal tries but just 2 of 5 outside of 40 yards. He does have a 52-yarder. Statistically, Archie Wilson is the league's worst punter, averaging just 39.8 yards per kick. His five punts of 50 yards or more also is last and he's near the bottom of punts landed in the 20-yard line. Keep an eye on Jacory Barney in the return game. He had 52-yard return earlier this season.
Coaching/intangibles: Nebraska signed Matt Rhule to an extension and PSU fans should breathe a sigh of relief because he is James Franklin is 2.0. He is a good, but not great coach who struggles to get his teams over the top. Look at his abysmal 0-11 record against Top 25 teams as an example. Just as brutal is a 2-23 record against Top 25 teams.
Advantages: PSU for defense and special teams. Nebraska for offense and coaching.
Prediction: Oh, how I wish these two would have played to conclude the 1994 season. For the record, I think Nebraska would have dominated the line in that matchup like it did a year later against Florida, but I digress. Not sure how Penn State is more than a touchdown favorite here, but I like how it is playing and think Nebraska collapses late. Penn State 27, Nebraska 24