Grading the No. 3 Penn State Nittany Lions after their 6-0 start in 2024.
Penn State's second consecutive 6-0 start resonates differently this year, By score, the 6-0 record of 2023 was more impressive. Those Nittany Lions outscored their six opponents 266-48, winning twice by shutout and outscoring four opponents by at least 28 points. Their largest deficit was seven points, against Northwestern, and that lasted just 4 minutes, 30 seconds before the Nittany Lions outscored the Wildcats 38-3 the remainder of the game.
So it should be a fascinating second half, with visits to Wisconsin and Minnesota sandwiched around the Holy Grail at Beaver Stadium on Nov. 2 against Ohio State. Penn State is in a prime playoff spot, eyes a home date in December and even is a Big Ten title-game contender. With prime-time in Wisconsin looming after the bye week, let's pause to reflect on the Nittany Lions' first half. To the report card.
The run game rang an alarm the past two weeks, totaling 85 yards without Singleton against UCLA and averaging 3.15 from its backs at USC. And Kotelnicki still has his major test game against the Buckeyes, but the coordinator already has shown he's setting a strong preparatory stage for it. For the most part, Penn State's defensive line has been sturdy, especially tackle Zane Durant. Edge rusher Abdul Carter is such a menace that teams defend him by holding him. Linebacker Kobe King has been sure in the middle. Safety Jaylen Reed is playing at top-speed, and the corners have been handling man coverage with sticky success. Everyone can tackle better, and those exposed gaps don't fill themselves.
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