Penn State vs. Indiana State: Breaking Down the Matchups

The Penn State Nittany Lions will face off against the Indiana State Sycamores in Week 1 on the 2011 college football season.

Last season, the Nittany Lions finished 7-6. Indiana State finished the season with a 6-5 record out of the Missouri Valley Conference.

This game is seen as a cupcake for the Nittany Lions by many. Last season, the Sycamores received a beatdown the only time they stepped outside of the FCS with a 40-7 loss to FBS opponent Cincinnati.

However, Joe Paterno and the Nittany Lions do have several questions to answer before the mighty Alabama Crimson Tide roll into Happy Valley in Week 2 of the season.

Who can grab the reins at quarterback? Can the defense play tougher up front? Will a consistent threat emerge for the pass rush?

All of these questions need answers. Let's breakdown the matchups and see if Paterno will be able to sleep when this one is all said and done.

Penn State offense vs. Indiana State defense

Offensively, the Nittany Lions do not have several question marks. They just happen to have one very big one.

Matt McGloin and Rob Bolden are both set to take snaps Saturday afternoon. The Nittany Lions may be able to afford the quarterback limbo this week but it must be settled for the Alabama matchup.

Whoever winds up being the primary starter behind center will have the privilege of working with several great skill players. 

Silas Redd averaged over five yards per carry in a backup role last season and will have a heightened workload this season. Redd is exceptionally quick, finds the hole well, and has the power to run over most defenders.

Receiving the passes will be Derek Moye. Moye led the Big Ten in yards per catch last season at 16.7 yards per grab. Complementing Moye's size will be another big wideout, Justin Brown, and speedsters Devon Smith and Shawney Kersey underneath.

The Penn State offensive line must replace All-Big Ten talent Stefan Wisniewski at guard. This will make an already questionable unit more of a reason for concern this season.

Defensively, the Sycamores had four players named to the All-Missouri Valley conference preseason defensive team. Defensive end Ben Obaseki was named to the Buck Buchanon Award preseason watch list. The Buchanon Award is presented to the top defensive player at the FCS level.

Penn State defense vs. Indiana State offense

Based on talent and potential, the Nittany Lions' defense could have a bounce-back year in 2011. Now Tom Bradley has to make sure the players can put it all together.

Up front, the Nittany Lions must replace departed senior Ollie Ogbu in the middle. A major step toward filling Ogbu's shoes is Devon Still. If Still can reach his full potential, he will be a force in the middle for Bradley's defense.

Defensive end Pete Massaro injured his knee and will miss the entire season. That means Jack Crawford and Kevion Latham will have a chance to impress, beginning in Week 1.

Penn State holds the moniker "Linebacker U" close to their hearts. This year is no different. Michael Mauti, Gerald Hodges, and Nate Stupar are an experienced trio. The emergence of sophomore Glenn Carson has moved Mauti to the outside, furthering Penn State's depth in the middle. Watch out for sophomore Kharri Fortt on Saturday as well.

The secondary is very good for Penn State and should have a great tune up against Sycamores' senior quarterback Ronnie Fouch. Drew Astorino and Nick Sukay are both great in run support, and athletic sophomore Malcolm Willis was excellent in backup duty last season. D'Anton Lynn and Stephon Morris are both solid corners in pass coverage.

Overall, Penn State's defense does have things to work on. A matchup against an FCS opponent like the Sycamores will be a good way for the defenders to get their feet under them and prepare for the heart of their schedule.

Special teams

In a game that, more than likely, will end in a lopsided Penn State victory, special teams probably will not play an important role. It doesn't hurt to mention though, right?

For instance, the Nittany Lions are starting freshman kicker Evan Lewis for Week 1. Lewis will attempt to replace senior Colin Wagner from last season. Anthony Fera will back up both as kicker and punter.

Tanner Fritschle will handle the place-kicking and punting duties for the Sycamores. Like Lewis, Fritschle is also a true freshman.

The Verdict

If you have ever watched college football, it goes without saying that Penn State will win this game barring a last-minute appearance by Larry Bird.

What is more important is how the Nittany Lions win. Questions need to be answered, and with Alabama looming large and an improved Big Ten schedule ahead, the Nittany Lions better fix the concerns sooner rather than later.

All eyes will be behind center as either Bolden or McGloin look to emerge from quarterback purgatory. The success of the entire Nittany Lions' season may rest on the arm of one of these two players.

The Nittany Lions need to win, and they need to win big. The defense needs to look dominant and gritty. The offense needs to have flow and consistency.

In the end, Joe Paterno should rest easy in this FCS tuneup game.

Final score: Penn State 42 Indiana State 10