Penn State Football: Preview, prediction, live stream vs. Nebraska in Week 12
Penn State football is looking to stay in the winning lane on Saturday evening against a reeling Nebraska team in Happy Valley.
Coming off a Rose Bowl appearance and Big Ten title a year ago, Penn State football knew it had a major target on its back in 2017. The Nittany Lions began the season ranked in the top 10 and rose all the way into the top-four before getting knocked down by Ohio State. The Nittany Lions lost to Michigan State the following week, essentially ending any playoff hopes.
Saquon Barkley is still having an impressive season for the Nittany Lions, even if it likely won’t end with a Heisman Trophy. He has rushed for 899 yards and 11 touchdowns while catching 40 passes for 524 yards and three touchdowns. Trace McSorley leads the offense with 2,666 yards and 21 touchdowns through the air.
It hasn’t been the ideal season that Mike Riley and Nebraska pictured before the year began. In fact, the Cornhuskers are just 4-6 with plenty of room for improvement, but unless they beat the Nittany Lions on the road Saturday, a bowl game won’t be in the cards. Also, could this be Riley’s last season in Lincoln?
Nebraska is led by transfer quarterback Tanner Lee who had a rough start to the year, but has since fared much better. However, he will be out for this contest thanks to a concussion. Devine Ozigbo will need to step up in the run game since he’s been quiet lately. After three straight 100-yard games against Rutgers, Wisconsin and Illinois, Ozigbo has just one game with over 70 yards.
Here’s how you can watch Saturday’s Penn State vs. Nebraska game:
Date: Saturday, Nov. 18
Time: 4:00 p.m. ET
Location: University Park, Penn.
Venue: Beaver Stadium
TV: FOX Sports 1
Live Stream: FOX Sports Go
Keys to Victory
Get after Nebraska’s young quarterback. He is eyeing his first start with the Cornhuskers after Tanner Lee’s concussion so Penn State will need to generate an intense pass rush. If he’s uncomfortable in the pocket, he’s sure to cough the ball up or throw an ill-advised pass into coverage. On offense, it’s time to get Barkley more involved. He needs to get at least 20 touches as that’s when the offense runs the smoothest.
Protect the football. Nebraska needs to follow those three words religiously. Lee has thrown 13 interceptions this year and turnovers have been a major issue for the Cornhuskers. While Lee has improved in recent weeks in terms of turnovers, he will be out on Saturday due to concussion concerns. Getting Patrick O’Brien comfortable in the offense will be important, but it won’t be easy. As long as the Cornhuskers can protect the ball, there’s a slight chance of keeping it close.
Next: NFL Mock Draft 2018: First round after Week 11 edition
Prediction
It’s just been one of those seasons for Nebraska and it’s not going to get any prettier on Saturday evening. The Cornhuskers need a win to stay in the hunt for a bowl game, but don’t expect that to happen in front of the raucous Happy Valley crowd. Trace McSorley will torch the defense for 300-plus yards and Saquon Barkley will have a Heisman-like performance — even if it is a little late for that. The Nittany Lions are going to hand the Cornhuskers a serious beatdown.
Final Score: Nebraska 10, Penn State 35