Previewing Penn State With A Nittany Lion Insider

Nate Bauer of Blue White Illustrated was kind enough to swing by this week and break down Penn State's football team prior to its weekend showdown with the Michigan Wolverines in Ann Arbor.

The analyst provided a preview of which Nittany Lion players fans should keep an eye on, while also giving a final score prediction and a forecast of how he thinks the game will go.

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• Redshirt junior QB Sean Clifford — Bauer revealed that redshirt sophomore Will Levis could potentially get the start here as well, due to Clifford's struggles this season (just a 57.2 completion percentage and eight interceptions after throwing seven in 12 starts last year). The two have each seen extensive action in Penn State's last two games, with Levis owning a 57.4 completion percentage and 325 passing yards on the year.

• Freshman RB Keyvone Lee — Redshirt junior Journey Brown and sophomore Noah Cain were expected to be the team's top two backs but are both out for the year (the former had a career-ending heart condition), while sophomore Devyn Ford left last weekend's game and never returned. Lee has just 19 carries for 93 yards and two touchdowns on the year, but is a load at 6-0, 230 pounds.

• Junior WR Jahan Dotson — He has been Penn State's best offensive player this season, with his 31 receptions, 527 yards and six touchdowns all leading the team. Dotson's yardage total currently checks in second in the Big Ten, while his six TD grabs are deadlocked for second.

• Freshman WR Parker Washington — He has made a huge impact right off the bat as a freshman, hauling in 21 catches for 256 yards and three touchdowns so far. Washington's 21 receptions and 256 yards are both the third most on the team, while his three scoring grabs are second only to Dotson's six.

• Freshman WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith — He has accumulated seven receptions for 78 yards, setting career highs in both catches (three) and yards (35) two weeks ago at Nebraska. Lambert-Smith’s 78 yards are the fourth most on the club.

• Redshirt freshman TE Brenton Strange — Junior Pat Freiermuth would be the usual starter here but will instead undergo season-ending shoulder surgery after compiling 23 grabs for 310 yards. Freiermuth’s absence is a massive blow, with Strange owning just six catches for 61 yards on the year.

• Redshirt sophomore LT Rasheed Walker — Pro Football Focus (PFF) has tabbed him as Penn State’s second-best offensive lineman, giving him a 69.8 overall grade (64.0 is considered average). One downside, however, is that his three penalties committed are the most of any PSU offensive player.

• Redshirt junior LG Mike Miranda — PFF has been pleased with his pass-blocking duties this season, giving him a 70.9 mark in that department (the second best of any PSU player). Miranda is one of the most experienced Nittany Lions on offense, having competed in all 31 of the team’s games since the start of 2018.

• Fifth-year senior C Michal Menet — He has been a mainstay on Penn State’s offensive line in recent years, starting 30 games since the start of the 2018 campaign. Menet’s 422 snaps are tied with Walker for the most of any PSU offensive athlete this fall.

• Fifth-year senior RG Will Fries — Yet another grizzled veteran along the Penn State front five, Fries has started 38 games since the beginning of 2017. PFF has given him a 79.9 grade on the year, which is the best of any of the team’s offensive linemen.

• Redshirt freshman RT Caedan Wallace — PFF has pegged him with a subpar 62.6 mark in his first season as a starter, which is the lowest among the Nittany Lion starting offensive linemen. Wallace has especially struggled as a run blocker, receiving a 57.2 mark in that area.