Penn State Football: Previewing the Indiana Game

Penn State has gotten off to a 3-1 start in 2011. Indiana has not fared as well. The Hoosiers are currently 1-3. Saturday's matchup will be each team's first Big Ten contest this season.

Penn State would like to answer several questions before entering conference play. Finding answers this week will play a major role in their success moving forward.

Indiana wants to right their ship. Bad losses against North Texas and Ball State have Hoosier fans searching for any hope in their first Big Ten conference clash.

Neither team is considered a favorite to win the Big Ten. However, each team has a chance to improve as each week passes.

Here is a preview of Saturday's Penn State versus Indiana matchup:

How Will Michael Mauti's Injury Affect the Penn State Defense?

Last Saturday against Eastern Michigan, Penn State lost their best defensive player in Michael Mauti. Mauti tore his ACL and will miss the rest of the season.

Mauti led the Penn State defense in terms of tackles and talent.

Penn State will turn to senior Nate Stupar to take Mauti's place on the outside. Stupar is experienced. However, he lacks the athleticism and playmaking ability Mauti brings to the table.

Mauti was the heart and soul of this Penn State defense. He was extremely important against the run and against the pass.

The bottom line is Penn State must find another playmaker. Gerald Hodges and Glenn Carson must also step up and take the pressure off of Stupar as he adjusts to being a starter.

The onus will fall on the remaining linebackers, the defensive line and the banged-up secondary to soften the blow of Penn State's best defensive player.

Should Matt McGloin Be the Starter?

Last week Matt McGloin threw for 230 yards and three touchdowns against Eastern Michigan. Perhaps most encouraging, McGloin had no interceptions.

This was the first impressive performance by either Matt McGloin or Rob Bolden all season. Because of this, McGloin must be the starter in Week 5 against the Hoosiers.

McGloin does not have the upside of Bolden. However, he seems to have a better grasp of the offense at this point. As long as he avoids turnovers, McGloin gives the offense more flow and consistency.

The big picture is still unclear. McGloin could struggle against Indiana and put things back at square one. But this week, McGloin has to be Joe Paterno's guy as they travel to face the Hoosiers.

How Will the Penn State Secondary Fail Without D'Anton Lynn?

D'Anton Lynn suffered a concussion in Week 4's matchup against Eastern Michigan. Because of this Penn State will be without a major player in their secondary.

Replacing Lynn could be promising freshman Adrian Amos. Amos has shown great ball skills early in his collegiate career. Safeties Malcolm Willis and Stephen Obeng-Agyapong should also see an increase in snaps. Both are experienced and bring a presence to the box.

Lynn has been reliable for the Nittany Lions. He has great size and the ball skills to match. His playmaking ability will be missed, especially with the loss of Michael Mauti as well.

The Nittany Lions will need to find someone else to take away one side of the field. Hopefully just for a game or two.

Is Silas Redd Ready to Explode?

Through the first four games Silas Redd has 62 carries for 303 yards and four touchdowns. He is running at just under five yards per carry.

The problem doesn't lie in Redd's production. It lies in how often Redd is given the chance to produce. As of now, Redd is getting around 15 carries a game. He needs to touch the ball more.

Yes, Redd is only a sophomore in his first year as a starter. But at what point do you give your best player a chance to be just that?

Redd has the build to be a workhorse. He is a strong runner with a downhill attitude. Redd also has the quickness to get to the outside. In terms of talent and potential, Redd has it all.

The Penn State offense has sputtered through the air. Redd will be needed on the ground now more than ever as the Nittany Lions enter conference play.

How Will Joe Paterno's Sideline Presence Affect the Nittany Lions?

Joe Paterno has not spent any time on the Penn State sidelines so far this season. That will all change when the Nittany Lions arrive in Memorial Stadium to take on the Hoosiers.

Paterno's presence will mean no more disconnection from the game for the longtime Penn State coach.

Players should be inspired by the presence of their leader. Inspiration should translate into emotion on the field. With emotion comes energy. If the Nittany Lions can focus that energy it could be a long day for the Hoosiers.

Obviously, Paterno does not actually play the game. His presence does not guarantee a win. However, it could rally the Nittany Lions for their first Big Ten contest.

Indiana Wins If...

Edward Wright-Baker can throw the ball for Kevin Wilson's Hoosiers. He has 925 yards with four touchdowns this season. He is also a threat to scramble.

Wilson has a great reputation for molding quarterbacks. Wright-Baker is a sophomore. Under Wilson's tutelage he continues to get better. He has two interceptions but his decision making is improving.

Kofi Hughes and Duwyce Wilson each have two touchdown receptions and over ten receptions. With D'Anton Lynn injured, Wilson or Hughes could test the Penn State secondary.

The Hoosiers do not have much of a ground game.

Defensively, the Hoosiers need a lot of work. They are 73rd in the nation in scoring defense, giving up 26.5 points per game.

Penn State's offense has a chance to get on track against a weak defense for Indiana. Give Redd the rock. Make sure McGloin manages the game.

Indiana needs Wright-Baker to exploit the loss of Lynn in the secondary. If he can put together a few drives early, Penn State could be vulnerable. Don't count on it, but Wright-Baker is talented.

Penn State Wins If...

Penn State's offense is ready when the passing game is ready. Matt McGloin will have a chance to show he is the answer on Saturday.

McGloin is coming off a very good performance against Eastern Michigan in Week 4. He should be very confident. Penn State has talented weapons at receiver. If McGloin's confidence translates into production the Nittany Lions could be in business.

Silas Redd is ready. He has proven his ability. Penn State needs to ride their best horse in their first Big Ten battle.

Defensively, Penn State will need to cover up the losses of Michael Mauti and D'Anton Lynn. How well Nate Stupar and a trio of players in the secondary play will play a big factor on Saturday.

Do not sleep on Indiana. Memorial Stadium is their house. Standing at 1-3, they need to defend it now more than ever.

Penn State needs to find some semblance of a passing game. If they do on Saturday they could win this game going away. If they let Indiana's offense dictate the pace of the game the Nittany Lions could be in for a longer day than expected.

Key Matchup: Edward Wright-Baker vs. Penn State Secondary

Penn State's secondary is very good, when they are healthy. The loss of D'Anton Lynn isn't necessarily devastating, but it will do some damage.

Edward Wright-Baker is by no means a finished product for Indiana. Kevin Wilson is changing that as every game passes. Wright-Baker still has work to do. But if the Nittany Lions allow him to stand in the pocket he could exploit the loss of Lynn.

Drew Astorino, Nick Sukay, Malcolm Willis and Stephon Morris will need to step up. As long as they fill their roles, the rest of the Penn State defense will pick up some of the slack.

Penn State's secondary still holds the advantage in this matchup. If Wright-Baker can find someone to pick on early that could change quickly.

Who Wins?

Penn State wins this game. Despite the injuries on defense, questionable passing attack, and inconsistent offensive line, Penn State will pull out victory in Memorial Stadium.

In the end, Penn State is more talented than the Hoosiers. The Nittany Lions have plenty of question marks but talent should win over in this matchup.

It will be a good test for a hopeful team on the road to start conference play. Matt McGloin is able to gain confidence and Silas Redd is handed the keys to the offense.

The defense needs to prove it can play without its best playmaker, Michael Mauti. This will be a perfect situation to get Nate Stupar acclimated to being a starter again.

Penn State wins, but not by as much as some people anticipate.

Prediction: Penn State 27, Indiana 10