Big Ten football: Comparing Michigan, Penn State ahead of top-10 battle

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STATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 01: Ji’Ayir Brown #16 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates with teammates after intercepting a pass against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at Beaver Stadium on October 1, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Penn State’s defense

The Nittany Lions have one of the (if not the) best defenses in college football. Under new defensive coordinator Manny Diaz, Penn State has become a force to be reckoned with and has been tested against a few solid offenses such as Purdue and Auburn.

The Nittany Lions secondary — led by Joey Porter Jr. — has been dominant so far this year. Penn State has more pass breakups than anyone in the nation and forces turnover after turnover. The Nittany Lions’ defense is facing off against a young quarterback, so seeing some picks is definitely on the table.

Penn State’s linebackers are young but have not been half bad so far this year. This weekend will be a test, seeing as Michigan will try to target the linebackers on the ground and through the air, but it should tell us a lot about how far these younger players have come. Penn State will likely lean on freshman Abdul Carter and sophomore Curtis Jacobs to help stuff the run and cover tight ends.

The Lions’ defensive line is another strong suit of this defense. Michigan has a stellar offensive line, but it has not been tested like it will be this weekend. The Penn State pass rush has done a great job of forcing pressures and getting sacks all season long, and the interior defensive line is a force when stopping the run.

I expect Penn State to force Michigan into non-ideal situations with its line alone, and then allow the secondary to do its thing.

Penn State has not been truly tested against an offense of equal talent and development yet, so Michigan should tell us a lot about where the Nittany Lions stand in year one of Manny Diaz. As of right now, I cannot name a defense in the Big Ten that is better than Penn State.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Joey Porter Jr. (DB)
Abdul Carter (LB)
PJ Mustipher (DL)

KEY STATS:

Penn State has forced 11 turnovers in its past three games alone (four against Auburn, four against Central Michigan, and three against Northwestern).
Penn State has five interceptions so far this year — two from Zakee Wheatley, two from Ji’Ayir Brown, and one from Johnny Dixon.
Penn State has recorded 13 sacks this season from 10 different players. The Lions’ sack leader right now is Dani Dennis-Sutton (3).

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