It's pretty clear their offense is pretty one-dimensional. Their rush offense is very good - have averaged 250 ypg and 6.5 ypc through 2 games. However, the passing numbers are pretty weak (103rd in the Country through 2 games), but what really jumps out at you is 4 INTs vs only 1 TD through the first 2 games.
On the other side of the ball, Auburn's Defense mirrors their offense - extremely stout run defense, but the pass defense numbers are pretty so-so (opponents have completed 60% of their passes and they've given up roughly 230 passing yards per game, given up 2 TDs and no INTs).
I really believe this game is going to come down to a couple things - PSU's ability to stop their running game.... and PSU's QBs' ability to recognize Auburn's max-pressure fronts. If PSU QBs make the right decisions regarding running and passing depending on what Auburn is doing in "the box" - I think we win. I'm feeling good about our defense being able to contain Auburn's run game because of the one-dimensional nature of their offense.
On offense, this does not come down to PSU being able to establish a run game imho - it really comes down to Yurcich and the QBs making the correct run/pass decision depending on what Auburn is showing in "the box". In some ways, this is very similar to the Purdue game - PSU made Purdue pay big when they took chances and loaded the box. Urban Meyer did a great job breaking down PSU's last TD - PSU made the correct call against Purdue loading the box. The Auburn game is going to come down to the same thing - making the correct call depending on the Front 7 that Auburn is in.
On the other side of the ball, Auburn's Defense mirrors their offense - extremely stout run defense, but the pass defense numbers are pretty so-so (opponents have completed 60% of their passes and they've given up roughly 230 passing yards per game, given up 2 TDs and no INTs).
I really believe this game is going to come down to a couple things - PSU's ability to stop their running game.... and PSU's QBs' ability to recognize Auburn's max-pressure fronts. If PSU QBs make the right decisions regarding running and passing depending on what Auburn is doing in "the box" - I think we win. I'm feeling good about our defense being able to contain Auburn's run game because of the one-dimensional nature of their offense.
On offense, this does not come down to PSU being able to establish a run game imho - it really comes down to Yurcich and the QBs making the correct run/pass decision depending on what Auburn is showing in "the box". In some ways, this is very similar to the Purdue game - PSU made Purdue pay big when they took chances and loaded the box. Urban Meyer did a great job breaking down PSU's last TD - PSU made the correct call against Purdue loading the box. The Auburn game is going to come down to the same thing - making the correct call depending on the Front 7 that Auburn is in.