Penn State Football: It's Time to Flip the Switch in Big Ten Division Play

When Penn State takes the field on Saturday afternoon they will be doing something no prior Penn State, or Big Ten team has ever done before. They will be competing in their first division college football game (well, except for the Cornhuskers, who of course know what this is all about after years in the Big 12 and the Big 12 North).

Will it be different than any other Big Ten game Penn State has played?

Perhaps it will not feel that way but the importance of this week's game in a division format will be something never before seen in a matchup between the Nittany Lions and Hoosiers. The goal used to be to win seven or eight Big Ten conference games to grab the Big Ten's automatic BCS berth.

Now the requirement has been dropped to a maximum of six Big Ten wins needed to reach the Rose Bowl. Those six wins now include five division games and one Big Ten championship game.

Big Ten Assistant Commissioner of Communications Scott Chipman explains how the Big Ten's division champions will be crowned in an email to Bleacher Report;

"

All eight Big Ten games will count in determining the participants in the Big Ten Football Championship Game. For example, if two teams finish tied at 6-2 in conference, the winner of the game between those teams will go to the title game. If three teams finish tied at 6-2 in conference, the first tiebreaker is head-to-head play, but if the three teams are still tied (i.e. all three are 1-1 amongst the group of three), the second tiebreaker is divisional play (i.e. the record in the five divisional games). Crossover division games still count in the standings, but only in case of tiebreakers. Of course, winning every game is always nice.

"

For Penn State, the road to Indianapolis begins in Bloomington this week.

In order to reach the Big Ten Championship Game, to be played in Lucas Oil Stadium, the Nittany Lions need to get thing going on both sides of the football. Was last week's performance against Eastern Michigan a hint that Penn State has gotten things going, or was the offense production a bit of an unvalidated success because of the level of competition?

Regardless if last week's outing was for real or not, the time is now to make sure things keep ticking and improvement is made in a variety of areas.

For Penn State to make a run in the Leaders Division, here are the key concerns that need to be addressed.

Settle on a quarterback

Whether it is Rob Bolden or Matt McGloin, the offense needs to know that there will be one guy calling the plays in the huddle and taking snaps. Whoever it is, having one guy as a full time quarterback will allow the rest of the offense to find a rhythm they know will continue for an entire game.

Continuing to switch quarterbacks on a schedule will only hold the entire offense back now that the games are getting tougher and more meaningful.

Replace Mauti's Leadership

Without a doubt, the loss of linebacker Michael Mauti is a severe blow for the entire team, especially the defense. But Penn State is fortunate to have a fifth-year senior in Nate Stupar, who would ideally be more than capable of living up to the task of filling in for Mauti.

But look for Devon Still to take on an increased role in the leadership department, along with Drew Astorino.  At least that is what Joe Paterno is hoping for.

Reestablish the running game

Penn State's strength could be the running game.

Early on it seems as though the run blocking has been much more of a strength than the pass blocking. Silas Redd's production has been so-so each of the past three weeks after rushing for over 100 yards against Indiana State in the season opener. With Brandon Beachum out this weekend and Stephfon Green still appearing to be a while away from returning to the offense in any capacity for off-field issues, the focus on Redd will be increased, as it probably should be anyway.

Kevin McGuire is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes were obtained first-hand or via official interview materials from Penn State University. 

McGuire is the national college football writer for Examiner.com. Follow his college football discussion on Google+ and Twitter. Become a fan of him on Facebook.