Penn State vs. Alabama: 9 Ways the Nittany Lions Can Win

The Penn State Nittany Lions and the Alabama Crimson Tide will square off in Beaver Stadium on Saturday in one of Week 2's biggest matchups.

Last week, the Nittany Lions beat up on the Indiana State Sycamores. This should come as a surprise to no one. The real Penn State season begins this Saturday.

Entering Week 2, Matt McGloin is slated to start behind center after outperforming Robert Bolden against the Sycamores. It is imperative for McGloin to manage the game, as opposed to trying to win the game on every throw.

The Crimson Tide also had a modest challenge in Week 1, facing off against the Kent State Golden Flashes. A.J. McCarron won the Tide's quarterback battle, and is expected to face the raucous atmosphere in Happy Valley on Saturday.

Quarterback was a major question mark for each of these teams heading into last week.

Both McGloin and McCarron will play major roles this week. Their maturation and grasp of the offense will be very important to the success of their team.

The Nittany Lions have an upset on their mind Saturday. In order for that to happen, several things must unfold.

Here are nine ways the Nittany Lions can beat the Crimson Tide on Saturday:

Contain Trent Richardson

Trent Richardson rushed for 144 yards and one touchdown on the Nittany Lions last year in Tuscaloosa.

If the Nittany Lions want to have any chance this season on their home turf, this won't happen again.

Richardson is a household name. He will go over you, under you, around you, or through you if he has too. Last season, the Nittany Lions front seven seemed ill prepared for the tough, downhill maneuvering of Richardson.

The same attitude this season will bring the same result for the Nittany Lions, if not worse.

The Nittany Lions must play aggressively up front on Saturday. However, they cannot play recklessly. Sophomore Glenn Carson will need to read and react well in the middle of the field, and Michael Mauti needs to show his sideline-to-sideline ability.

If the Nittany Lions can play tough, and contain Richardson, they have a chance against the Crimson Tide. If they don't, it will be a long day for Joe Paterno and the rest of the coaching staff.

Keep McGloin Protected

Matt McGloin is going to have a hard time finding open receivers against Alabama's secondary on Saturday.

Being rushed to do so won't make it any easier.

This means the offensive line must do their jobs. Nick Saban loves to dial up complex blitz packages. The Crimson Tide will be bringing heat from every which way.

In order to make things easier on McGloin, the offensive line must be on the same page in terms of protection in all aspects.

McGloin must also do his part. He needs to make quick decisions in the pocket, and he needs to get out of the pocket when the situation calls for it.

If the offensive line can keep the Crimson Tide defense out of the backfield, the offense can get into a rhythm for Penn State. Rhythm will result in momentum, which could result in a closer game than some may anticipate.

Chaz Powell Encore

Chaz Powell returned the opening kickoff last weekend against Indiana State for a touchdown. Igniting the Penn State players, coaches, and fans alike.

This week Penn State fans would love to see an encore. If not the opening kickoff anytime will work.

Powell is a dynamic presence on special teams. He has the potential to electrify the crowd anytime he touches the ball.

The Nittany Lions may have trouble stopping the Crimson Tide on both offense and defense. If that is the case, the Nittany Lions will need a third factor to lean on.

Powell's returns cannot necessarily be leaned upon. However, one timely return could turn the game upside down.

Make Plays Downfield

Penn State needs to be able to get the ball downfield for many reasons against Alabama.

First of all, if the Nittany Lions are able to get the ball down the field, that means the offensive line must be doing their job. So this is a two-fold improvement.

The Nittany Lions have the playmakers at receiver to make this happen. Derek Moye, Justin Brown, Shawney Kersey, and Devon Smith are all capable of being a vertical threat. However, they will have trouble gaining separation against the daunting Alabama secondary.

Stretching the field will also improve the run game. If the Nittany Lions can prove their ability to pass the ball consistently, that will pull Alabama defenders off the line and out of the box. This will allow huge holes for Silas Redd as he looks to carry the Penn State attack.

Everyone loves big plays. The crowd, the coaches, and especially the quarterback. If the Nittany Lions look to shock the Crimson Tide, you can bet they will need more than one big connection.

Get Pressure on A.J. McCarron

The Nittany Lions sorely lacked a pass rush last season. That must change this week against Alabama if they want to slowdown the Tide's offensive attack.

A.J. McCarron lacks experience, and some would argue, lacks the skill set to play in Beaver Stadium on Saturday. The best way to make this potentially rocky situation worse is to ramp up the pressure on McCarron.

Jack Crawford, Kevion Latham, and the Penn State linebackers must find a way to fight their way through Alabama's offensive line. Creating pressure will keep McCarron off-balance, and keep Alabama's playmakers from gettiing down the field.

If Penn State can get consistent pressure in the pocket, their defense stands a much better chance at being successful. If Penn State's defense is successful, Penn State has a much better shot at pulling the upset on their home turf.

Minimize Turnovers

Penn State must play a very good game on Saturday to beat Alabama. The Nittany Lions cannot beat themselves with mistakes and mental errors on the field.

The Nittany Lions, especially, cannot deal with turnovers.

Turnovers kill the momentum, flow, and consistency of an offense. Against a team more talented than yours, turnovers are back breakers in an already uphill battle.

Matt McGloin showed a penchant for throwing the ball to the opposing team last season. That must change early this season, hopefully by game time on Saturday.

Reducing turnovers will allow the Nittany Lions to possess the ball and ideally score more points. Turnovers are major game changers. Especially for a menacing defense like Alabama.

If Penn State turns the ball over, Alabama has this one easily. However, if Penn State can keep the ball, they have a much better chance at grabbing the win.

Force Turnovers

On the flip side of minimizing turnovers, the Nittany Lions must find a way to force turnovers. This would be a change from last season's complacent Nittany Lions' defense.

With inexperienced and potentially overwhelmed quarterback A.J. McCarron entering Happy Valley, forcing turnovers could be easier if the Nittany Lions disguise their coverage and blitz heavily.

McCarron is liable to make poor decisions under pressure. This allows the Penn State secondary to make a play while the ball is in the air, and score major momentum for the Nittany Lions.

Another way to force turnovers is to rip the at the ball mercilessly when Trent Richardson hits the line. Yes, Richardson is probably the best running back in the nation. However, he is still human, and can fumble the football if the effort is put toward forcing it.

The Nittany Lions have no choice but to force turnovers if they want to win on Saturday.

They know that. Now they just have to do it.

Seize Momentum Early

Penn State can absolutely not fall behind in this game, especially early.

The Nittany Lions are overmatched in terms of talent, and depth. They must get their shots in early and often before the Tide begin to wear on their endurance and their abilities.

Kick returns, turnovers, long touchdowns, and long drives are all ways to grab momentum in a big game.

In front of a home crowd Penn State needs to strike early. Allow the 12th man in Happy Valley to come alive and make this team feel like they can pull off the upset. If they don't come alive, you can bet Alabama will.

The Nittany Lions cannot afford to get down to the Tide. Facing a deficit early will force the Nittany Lions to lean on the pass game, and also allow the Crimson Tide to lean on the run game. That is the opposite of how the Penn State coaching staff wants to see this game played.

Penn State needs to get the crowd up, and they need to stay up. Make it hard on A.J. McCarron. Make it easier for the Nittany Lions' psyche.

Give Silas Redd the Ball

Silas Redd is the Nittany Lions' biggest threat among skill players against Alabama.

He is also the most important. The more Redd runs, and the more successful he is, the longer the Bama defense will be stuck on the field. That would provide the Nittany Lions an opportunity to wear the Tide's defense down. Ideally, leaving holes in their armor as the game moves along.

Redd has the ability to break away with his speed and quickness. He also is able to run north and south, and carry tacklers with him if he needs to.

He is extremely talented, and is still learning how to be a primary running back at the college level.

Granted, Alabama's defense is a very daunting task for any running back. However, Redd does have the talent to get the job done. That is, if the offensive line can give him room to get to the second and third levels of the defense.

If Redd can run consistently between the tackles the Alabama defense will eventually wear down. All defenses get tired.

Even Nick Saban defenses.