Do we load the box, bringing Dillon Thieneman down to help contain PSU running backs? Make Allar beat us with his arm? Can he?

Does Tosh have faith in our defense linemen to plug the holes? Not sweating getting 4 sacks, but forcing Allar to make the throws that he hasn't this season?

Let Allar have the check-down passes, giving them 2-3 yards a play for passing but swarm tackling since we have 8 in the box?

So many things I am thinking of for tomorrows game, and I know that OBD staff has 25 other things they are thinking/planning for!

The PSU OL to this point has been like a stationary wall. They don't get much push (low yards before contact), but don't let much get past them (low negative yardage plays) against poor competition.

I take that to mean they are fundamentally sound, but not very athletic, or the running scheme has been a Mario Cristobal special.

It's a bit of a conundrum to this point.

I think PSU will want to run outside more against us like they did last year, but Oregon is much better at setting the edge this year than prior years. I wonder if we don't just put 5 down linemen and play single high safety and man coverage. Bottle up the run and make the QB beat us with his arm or scrambling.

I have my doubts about the 'Lion offensive line being as effective as last year. I would expect us to move our free safety up closer to the Linebacker zones to stop the big running plays. Do it until they outscore us with Allar's passing!

Good topic.

Yeah, I'd crowd the box a bit. Throw in a few creative blitzes also, including run blitzes into PS's favored running gaps.

From what I've seen the PS O line is good at holding their blocks, but as someone else said, not so good at actually moving people around. Often their backs have bounced around trying two or three holes before finding one they can get through for a good gain.

Working with their hands and getting off blocks quickly will help, but also the line playing their techniques and keeping blocker off of the line backers will free up the backers to make plays.

While PS's defense has played well their offense has not impressed me at all so far, running or passing.

I really think this is the entire game. We will score some points, I don't think we'll score like we did in the Championship game, but we'll score enough to win. It will be if we can hold the PSU run game to under 175 yards or so. The closer we've come to game time the more optimistic I've gotten. Allar is just not a great QB, he's fine, but I believe our secondary is better than last year, and I don't think Penn St. has upgraded enough at the WR positions to overcome losing Warren in the pass game.

I also have become more positive over generating a pass rush with Tuioti and Matayo U.

I am a little worried that our scheme is not designed well to counter the heavy rush approach of Penn St. We very rarely focus on the run, the Mint scheme is more about holding in check the passing game than it is loading the box and stopping heavy rushing attacks, our lines will need to buck up and set the edge well.

Reading this week it seems Penn St. is rushing more to the outside which would mirror what they did to us in the Championship game, can our edges hold up is the question?

I have faith that Dan and Tosh are focusing heavily on shutting down the run this week. The will come up with a game plan to sour the Penn State bread and butter run game and for Drew to try to beat us with his arm.

Charles I love this graphic.

Franklin looks angry.

But Lanning's smile.makes him look like the one you Don't want to cross. Hoping to see some mafan Dan this weekend!

In listening to some podcasts this week, Allar's stats don't blow people away. He's usually a 200-yard per game guy with few throws over 20 yds.

I think Thieneman has a big day in the box both run support and disrupting short crossing routes.

Make Allar beat us...if he does, he's the Heisman frontrunner and you tip your hat to him.