By Neil Rudel

nrudel@altoonamirror.com

Some nitpicking because the Nittany Lions draw the curtain on the common season tonight:

n Even if Drew Allar is recovered sufficient to play towards Michigan State (7:30, NBC), count on a wholesome dose of Beau Pribula, who stepped in final week vs. Rutgers and rushed for 71 yards on eight carries. Actually, it was Pribula’s presence after Allar’s harm within the second half that opened the Lions’ run recreation on the whole and for Nick Singleton specifically.

n Pribula has gained 311 yards on the bottom this season, a median of 6.0 yards on his 52 carries, together with 5 touchdowns. He’s solely tried 18 passes, finishing eight for 90 yards.

n When this recreation was introduced over the summer season for a uncommon Friday evening, optimism was excessive that Penn State could possibly be 11-1 and within the combine for the Big Ten title. With the Lions at 9-2, with egg-laying losses to Ohio State and Michigan, and Sparty having collapsed within the wake of Mel Tucker’s early-season firing, Ford Field needs to be much less electrical with fewer followers on either side inclined to make the journey.

n James Franklin’s unwillingness to reveal which of his two interim co-offensive coordinators — Ja’Juan Seider or Ty Howle — is producing the playcalling is odd. Or possibly no more unusual than not simply selecting one in every of them.

n These subsequent couple of weeks will inform quite a bit concerning the Lions’ roster main into the bowl recreation. Last yr’s workforce loved glorious management (Sean Clifford, PJ Mustipher, Ji’Ayir Brown, Brenton Strange, Juice Scruggs), and the entire Nits’ seniors, apart from Joey Porter Jr., performed within the Rose Bowl. We’ll see if that’s the case this yr with potential draftees corresponding to Olu Fashanu, Chop Robinson and Kalen King, amongst others. Especially if the Lions draw Tulane within the Peach Bowl, which is likely one of the projections.

n Leading receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith has caught two passes within the final two video games, and none final week when he wasn’t focused in any respect. Keep an eye fixed on him tonight to see if that was an aberration or (extra possible), whether or not Mike Yurcich’s offense gave KLS extra alternatives than Franklin needed.

N Penn State is ranked No. 11 within the newest College Football Playoff rankings, which matches into impact subsequent yr. If the primary 4 groups get byes, the 11 seed would journey to No. 6, which this yr could be Oregon.

N Other than Penn State and Ohio State, one of the best groups within the 2024 Big Ten — Michigan (JJ McCarthy), Washington (Michael Penix), Oregon (Bo Nix) and Southern Cal (Caleb Williams) — will likely be changing their beginning quarterbacks.

N Brent Pry, who has Altoona roots, is 5-6 in his first yr as Virginia Tech’s head coach after a 1-3 begin. Winning at Virginia on Saturday could be a pleasant end.

N In the Big Ten recreation of the yr Saturday, I’ll go along with Michigan over the Buckeyes, who primarily based on the occasions of the previous few weeks at UM nearly appear likable.

Rudel could be reached at nrudel@altoonamirror.com.