Penn State football preview against Rutgers

After dropping two out of their last three games, the Penn State Nittany Lions are looking to finish the season strong with two games remaining on their schedule in 2023. That will begin on Saturday when they host the Rutgers. WGAL has some key storylines to keep an eye on for the Big Ten matchup. Penn State (8-2, 5-2 Big Ten) vs. Rutgers (6-4, 3-4 Big Ten)When: 12 p.m. ET Saturday, Nov. 18Where: Beaver Stadium, State College, PATV: FS1Betting Line: Penn State -20.5, according to DraftKings Last Meeting: Penn State 55, Rutgers 10 in 2022Series History: Penn State leads 31-2Storylines to WatchThe biggest storyline heading into this matchup, and one that has dominated the headlines in Happy Valley, has to be the firing of offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich.It perhaps wasn't shocking to know that Yurcich was going to be fired after the offensive struggles against Ohio State and Michigan, but many believed it was going to be delayed until the end of the season.Regardless, changes to the offensive scheme were needed after the team scored an underwhelming 12 points against Ohio State and 15 against Michigan.For the time being, running backs coach and co-offensive coordinator Ja'Juan Seider and tight ends coach Ty Howle will split play-calling duties for the remainder of the year.It will be interesting to see how the two will split the duties, considering they work in two different areas of the offense.Sticking with coaching: After the change at offensive coordinator, is James Franklin officially on the hot seat? There has been plenty of speculation and rumors that Franklin was forced to make a quick decision courtesy of newly appointed athletic director Patrick Kraft, and we're left wondering how long Kraft will be satisfied finishing third in the Big Ten East, year after year.Franklin has proven to be one of the best recruiters in college football, but it has failed to translate onto the field, especially when it comes to matchups against top 10 teams. Here is a look at a few of Franklin's notable records in his nine-year career at Penn State. 3-17 against top 10 ranked teams 4-16 record against Ohio State and Michigan3-7 against Michigan1-9 against Ohio State 12-25 against teams ranked in the top 25. Being witness to the crowd atmosphere on Saturday against Michigan, it would be an understatement to say the fanbase wants Franklin gone. In the fourth quarter, the stadium erupted with chants of "Fire Franklin" after his decision to go for the two-point conversion and failing near the end of the game, resulting in Penn State seemingly having no chance at a victory. However, with a huge buyout of $64 million in 2023 and $56 million in 2024, it's not likely that Franklin is going anywhere.Penn State Fun Facts (courtesy of gopsusports.com)Penn State is undefeated on the road against Rutgers, but their two losses in 34 meetings came at home. Drew Allar is the only FBS quarterback with 20-plus touchdowns and less than two interceptions. Penn State's 13 receiving touchdowns by a tight end leads the FBS. The elite Nittany Lion defense sits at second in the nation in sacks per game (3.8), third in total sacks (38), and fourth in tackles for loss per game (8.2).Has not allowed a first-drive touchdown in the past 24 games, dating back to Michigan State in 2021. Have not allowed a special-teams touchdown in 58 straight games, which goes back to the beginning of the 2019 season. Prediction: Penn State 27, Rutgers 10

After dropping two out of their last three games, the Penn State Nittany Lions are looking to finish the season strong with two games remaining on their schedule in 2023.

That will begin on Saturday when they host the Rutgers.

WGAL has some key storylines to keep an eye on for the Big Ten matchup.

Penn State (8-2, 5-2 Big Ten) vs. Rutgers (6-4, 3-4 Big Ten)

When: 12 p.m. ET Saturday, Nov. 18

Where: Beaver Stadium, State College, PA

TV: FS1

Betting Line: Penn State -20.5, according to DraftKings

Last Meeting: Penn State 55, Rutgers 10 in 2022

Series History: Penn State leads 31-2

Storylines to Watch

The biggest storyline heading into this matchup, and one that has dominated the headlines in Happy Valley, has to be the firing of offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich.

It perhaps wasn't shocking to know that Yurcich was going to be fired after the offensive struggles against Ohio State and Michigan, but many believed it was going to be delayed until the end of the season.

Regardless, changes to the offensive scheme were needed after the team scored an underwhelming 12 points against Ohio State and 15 against Michigan.

For the time being, running backs coach and co-offensive coordinator Ja'Juan Seider and tight ends coach Ty Howle will split play-calling duties for the remainder of the year.

It will be interesting to see how the two will split the duties, considering they work in two different areas of the offense.

Sticking with coaching: After the change at offensive coordinator, is James Franklin officially on the hot seat?

There has been plenty of speculation and rumors that Franklin was forced to make a quick decision courtesy of newly appointed athletic director Patrick Kraft, and we're left wondering how long Kraft will be satisfied finishing third in the Big Ten East, year after year.

Franklin has proven to be one of the best recruiters in college football, but it has failed to translate onto the field, especially when it comes to matchups against top 10 teams.

Here is a look at a few of Franklin's notable records in his nine-year career at Penn State.

• 3-17 against top 10 ranked teams
• 4-16 record against Ohio State and Michigan
• 3-7 against Michigan
• 1-9 against Ohio State
• 12-25 against teams ranked in the top 25.

Being witness to the crowd atmosphere on Saturday against Michigan, it would be an understatement to say the fanbase wants Franklin gone.

In the fourth quarter, the stadium erupted with chants of "Fire Franklin" after his decision to go for the two-point conversion and failing near the end of the game, resulting in Penn State seemingly having no chance at a victory.

However, with a huge buyout of $64 million in 2023 and $56 million in 2024, it's not likely that Franklin is going anywhere.

Penn State Fun Facts (

• Penn State is undefeated on the road against Rutgers, but their two losses in 34 meetings came at home.
• Drew Allar is the only FBS quarterback with 20-plus touchdowns and less than two interceptions.
• Penn State's 13 receiving touchdowns by a tight end leads the FBS.
• The elite Nittany Lion defense sits at second in the nation in sacks per game (3.8), third in total sacks (38), and fourth in tackles for loss per game (8.2).
• Has not allowed a first-drive touchdown in the past 24 games, dating back to Michigan State in 2021.
• Have not allowed a special-teams touchdown in 58 straight games, which goes back to the beginning of the 2019 season.