Indiana will present a major test for the Nittany Lions right out of the gate

In August I was sure we would never be where we are today. A Penn State football game being played in 2020 wasn’t a realistic expectation after the Big Ten abruptly shut it down.

When the conference made the decision I wasn’t sure it was the right or wrong decision in light of the global pandemic. I was certain, though, their process to reach that decision showed a lack of preparation, leadership and communication.

It was a hot mess.

Yet here we are on the cusp of a return to the field in the strange world that has been turned upside down by COVID-19. The Nittany Lions are walking into a major test right out of the gate against an Indiana team that returns 19 starters from an 8-5 club.

As it sits right now this is the second toughest game on PSU’s shortened schedule in my opinion after the you-know-who Buckeyes next week.

Heading into the 2020 offseason, prior to COVID-19 if anybody can remember what that was like, I saw Penn State as a legitimate Top 5 team this year with a legitimate chance to win the Big Ten title and advance to its first College Football Playoff berth.

I’m not as convicted of that today as I was in February. Micah Parsons opting out leaves a huge hole for the Nittany Lions. You don’t cover up the loss of a first team All-American, especially against a very strong and balanced offense like the Hoosiers possess.

I equate it to Saquon Barkley and the transition to Miles Sanders. When Sanders took over for Barkley he was very good right away and had a great season. But he wasn’t Barkley. Penn State’s linebackers are going to be very good this season. Collectively they won’t be Parsons.

These first two games are where I think Penn State will miss Parsons the most.

Losing a stud all-around back like Journey Brown is another body blow to this team. Whatever the reason for his absence, I hope he returns to good health and is able to pursue a career at the next level in the NFL.

His absence won’t be as impactful in my opinion because Noah Cain proved his mettle in 2019 as having the tools to be a very capable RB1 and the running back room is very deep. Plus, this is the best Penn State offensive line in the last decade and that is a huge difference maker in the Lions’ ability to run the ball.

Indiana lefty quarterback Michael Penix was 5-1 as a starter before going down with an injury in 2019, running back Stevie Scott is a big and powerful back who ran all over Penn State two years ago and wide receiver Whop Philyor finds ways to get open and had more than 1,000 receiving yards a year ago.

That’s some major firepower for a Penn State defense that I think, despite the loss of Parsons, can be a Top 10 unit in the country. Indiana enjoys the advantage of having the best receiver and running back on the field.

I see the Indiana offense and the Penn State defense as a being strength vs. strength in terms of a match-up. Neither unit has many holes.

The key for me will be the Penn State offense, which has a huge black hole at wide receiver and just lost its RB1 but has a ridiculously deep pool of talent at the position, against an Indiana defense that will be better but struggled to slow teams down a year ago with a lot of the same dudes.

And that’s where Penn State’s offensive line becomes the group that can help the Nittany Lions get off to a 1-0 start with a tough road victory. It’s up to them. Collectively the Top 6 up front boast nearly150 games played and are talented. They are built for this scenario even in Game No. 1 of the strange odyssey that is COVID-19 football.

I expect some points in this one.

PENN STATE 34, INDIANA 31