Penn State welcomes a high-level FCS opponent at Beaver Stadium this weekend in unbeaten Villanova (3-0), which comes off a three-touchdown rally in a 34-27 win over Richmond. Meanwhile, Penn State rolls out of a big 28-20 victory over No. 22 Auburn, looking to match the same energy for this one that came in front of a Whiteout crowd.
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Penn State has built one of the best early resumés in all of college football with wins over two ranked teams -- No. 12 Wisconsin and No. 22 Auburn -- and a thorough drubbing of reigning MAC champion Ball State. The Lions have been crisp and sharp throughout their early schedule, so the expectation should be to see a purposeful group on Saturday.
On the other side, Villanova has outscored its three opponents -- Lehigh (47-3), Bucknell (55-3) and Richmond (34-27) -- by a combined 156-33 margin. Last week’s thriller over Richmond saw Villanova come storming back from a late 27-13 deficit to win it, 34-27. The Wildcats rank among the best in the FCS ranks in scoring offense (No. 8), scoring defense (No. 8) and turnover margin (tied at No. 1).
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Villanova (3-0) at No. 6 Penn State (3-0)
Kickoff time: Noon ET
TV/streaming: BTN
Location: Beaver Stadium (State College, Pa.)
Point spread (as of Friday): Penn State by 29.
KEY PLAYERS
Villanova QB Dan Smith. Smith is a tested and accomplished quarterback who has thrown for 4,549 and 47 touchdowns in 20 career games while also averaging north of 30 rushing yards per contest. His do-it-all talents will be crucial to any chance the Wildcats have of keeping it close.
Penn State RB Keyvone Lee. The Lions haven’t yet established the best version of their rushing game, so why not make that happen as big favorites against Villanova? Penn State’s best ground attack would likely feature more work for Lee, who is a springy and aggressive complement to starter Noah Cain.
BY THE NUMBERS
17-to-4. The combined number of takeaways (17) versus giveaways (4) for Penn State and Villanova. The Wildcats are tied for the national FCS lead in turnover margin (+2.67), and the Lions check in No. 7 in the FBS at +1.67. A lopsided number in this department, however unlikely, could be the only way Villanova makes Penn State sweat.
14.3. Number of points per game allowed by a talented, swarming Penn State defense. Twenty of the Lions’ 43 points allowed came last week to an Auburn team with a big offensive line and talented running back in Tank Bigsby. Can the Villanova offense move the chains with similar regularity? If the same version of the Lions defense shows up, the Wildcats might not have much of a shot.
PREDICTION
Penn State 38, Villanova 7.
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