This week, the Nittany Lions face a unique test from theTemple Owls. In a game where they will face one of their former QBs, they will also have to contend with another QB as well. On the offensive side, not much else needs to be done except for a potential breakout game from their running back room.
Here are five keys to Penn State's game against Temple.
Get more out of the running game
Last week, the only unit on the field for the Nittany Lions that looked potentially problematic was the running backs. Despite the depth they have at the position, they only averaged 3.6 yards on the ground, with Carson Hansen only having 48 yards as their lead rusher. Still, with the potential they have, expect more discipline and progress this week out of this group, especially now that Matt
Campbell knows how to get better balance out of the group. However, Penn State fans may be surprised as to who carries the load this week in the backfield after both Cam Wallaceand Quinton Martin Jr. provided bright sparks in mop-up duty last week.
If the passing attack ain't broke, don't fix it
It's clear that for the first time in what feels like a long time, the Nittany Lions have a diverse aerial attack that can beat teams downfield. New QB Rocco Becht looked mighty comfortable last week, throwing for 271 yards and a career-high 4 touchdowns. It was his chemistry with Koby Howard that really popped out, though, with Howard having the most receiving yards in a game for the Nittany Lions since 2024. Against another weak secondary and a potentially over-aggressive defensive line, expect Becht and this passing attack to continue their stellar start to the year.
Limit Temple's two QB system
The defense last week looked completely in sync against a potentially dangerous dual threat QB. Now they face two with completely different styles. Former Penn State QBJaxon Smolik is more of a pocket passer who will look to take shots downfield, whereas Ajani Sheppard profiles more so like Del Rio-Wilson as someone who likes to tuck and run. For the Nittany Lions, the challenge will be about rotating their coverages from more shell looks against Smolik to bigger boxes when Sheppard enters the game. As a result, we can expect the secondary to have a major say in whether or not either Temple QB finds any success.
Attack left side of Temple's O-line
Another big development in Penn State's first matchup was the emergence of Caleb Bacon as a true edge threat. The former linebacker looked like a wholly different player lining up off the edge against Marshall and was a mjaor problem for them on run plays. Now, going against a Temple squad without their left tackle, look for D'anton Lynn to get even more creative in scheming twists and stunts that exploit the blindsides of both Smolik and Sheppard.
Don't come in with an inflated ego
The bottom line for this Nittany Lions team is that it may take a while for us to really know what they're made of. That means that in these easier non-conference matchups, they cannot play down to their opponent lest they slip up. Their first game against Marshall was the perfect litmus test for the Nittany Lions breaking in new players on both sides of the ball and preparing for the competitive nature of the Big Ten ahead. Still, while Temple shouldn't cause them too much problems, the blue and white must know that they can't underestimate anyone.
This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: 5 keys for Penn State's game against Temple
