Penn State Predictions: Will PSU Fall Into Trap?

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 07: Minnesota Gophers defensive back Koi Perich (3) looks on after the college football game between the Rhode Island Rams and the Minnesota Golden Gophers on September 7, 2024, at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN. (Photo by Bailey Hillesheim/Icon Sportswire)

Minnesota does indeed have a path to upset Penn State. That path is winning the turnover battle— a statistic coach James Franklin brings up in every single one of his postgame press conferences. Plenty of Big Ten teams are better than Minnesota overall but none have intercepted the ball more times (16). When teams pull upsets, turnovers usually play a big part, and Minnesota is capable of causing some problems. But one of the strengths of Penn State’s offense is that it takes care of the ball. QB Drew Allar has thrown 680 passes in his college career and only seven have been intercepted. Granted, three of them came Oct. 12 against USC  (really, only two, considering one was on a Hail Mary). But even then, the Penn State defense held USC to a total of six points off those turnovers. So even if Allar does throw a pick, the Penn State defense is more than capable of limiting the damage.

I don’t think Minnesota can win this game without turnovers, and even if it gets them, I’m not sure it can fully capitalize.

Penn State 24, Minnesota 13

These are our Penn State predictions. What are yours?