Gameday

Chris Masse’s game breakdown

Chris Masse analyzes the matchups vs. Buffalo

Offense

Penn State: What sounded like distant alarms concerning the running game's status are growing louder after two weeks. It will be hard to win cold-weather games averaging fewer than four yards per carry, although I like the way Rocco Becht is running the offense. Koby Howard has taken to new staff like a sumo wrestler to a buffet.

Buffalo: Elijah Holmes and Jason Wright both have played and looked good at times -- Holmes in the opener and Wright last week. While PSU struggled vs. the run last week, Buffalo has struggled to get its run game going. The Bulls are averaging a paltry 3.5 yards per carry and have no rushing touchdowns. Chance Morrow has been tremendous, catching all five Buffalo touchdowns and going for 11-173-3 last week at Florida International.

Advantage: Penn State

Defense

Penn State: I'm going to chalk up Temple averaging 5.1 yards per carry more to the Owls being better than people think to be a major concern. The bottom line is nine points through two games with only one late touchdown scored after the outcome was decided is encouraging. Pass rush could use some work with only three sacks.

Buffalo: Buffalo featured a terrific pass rush a year ago, but turnover there has produced small results thus far with only three sacks. Still, look for the Bulls to try and turn up the heat. The secondary was expected to be strong but was torched against FIU a week ago to the tune of 367 yards and four touchdowns. Two came from 45 and 68 yards.

Advantage: Penn State

Special teams

Penn State: Ryan Barker showed his human side with a rare borderline chip-shot miss. He did rebound with 31 and 39-yarders, so it's likely a blip on the radar. Nathan Tiyce made his lone punt an effective one, putting it inside 20. At some point this league season, Zay Robinson will either have a game-changing punt return and/or touchdown.

Buffalo: Sophomore Oliver Hautanen looked pretty impressive last week, drilling field goals of 51 and 45 yards. He is 5-for-5 on field goals and extra points in his first season starting. Ethan Stumpf boomed a 62-yard punt a week ago and is at 45.8 yards through two games. Keep an eye on punt returner Miles Greer.

Advantage: Penn State

Coaching/intangibles

Penn State: Penn State rebounded well after slow start against a Temple team that I have confidence will reach a bowl game. Didn't like going for it on fourth-and-goal from the 2 that early, though. Forget the analytics. The percentages might say it's better to go for it. You know what's better than 50-50? Nearly 100%, which is the likelihood of getting three points there.

Buffalo: Pete Lembo sparked a big turnaround in his head coaching debut two years ago, guiding Bulls to six-win turnaround and a 9-4 finish. That buzz, though, was hushed when Buffalo slipped to 5-7 a year ago

despite big expectations, so the jury is out. Lembo was a semifinalist for the Broyles Award, given to the nation's top assistant coach in 2022 while at South Carolina.

Advantage: Penn State

Prediction: Look for Penn State to fix the sluggish mistakes it made against Temple. Lions start strong and finish strong in this one. PSU 38, Buffalo 7

Prediction record: 2-0