Penn State vs Pittsburgh stream, keys, predictions, and more

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STATE COLLEGE, PA – SEPTEMBER 01: Miles Sanders #24 of the Penn State Nittany Lions rushes for a 4 yard touchdown in overtime against the Appalachian State Mountaineers on September 1, 2018 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Nittany Lions to watch

Trace McSorley

James Franklin said in his post-game comments that McSorley is at his best when he uses his legs. It forces the defense to question themselves and to account for the Heisman candidate not just threatening in the air, but also on the ground.

McSorley rushed for 53 yards and two touchdowns against Appalachian State, but James Franklin wants even more.

Last year McSorley threw three touchdowns against Pitt, each of which went to players no longer with the team, Mike Gesicki and the aforementioned Barkley.

Miles Sanders

All the talk around Penn State involved the departure of Saquon Barkley and whether the offense could sustain their success from the past two years. Last week’s performance against Appalachian State proved that while Barkley was a phenomenal talent, there are backs just as impactful ready to take over.

PISCATAWAY, NJ – NOVEMBER 19: Tommy Stevens #2 of the Penn State Nittany Lions hands the ball off to Miles Sanders #24 against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the second half at High Point Solutions Stadium on November 19, 2016 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Sanders was the consensus number one prospect in Pennsylvania when he signed with Penn State and a consensus top-50 prospect in the country. If anyone was ready to replace Barkley it was Sanders.

A native of Pittsburgh, Sanders broke out with career-highs across the board last week with 91 rushing yards and two touchdowns. He’s going from a relative unknown nationally to an overnight star on the cover of Sports Illustrated this week.

Penn State will continue to feed Sanders and a crop of talented backs behind him against Pitt, who allowed just 60 rushing yards to Albany last week.

Will Fries/Chasz Wright

Depth on the offensive line has been an issue for Penn State ever since the sanctions were placed upon them. With all of their scholarships back in hand they’ve been able to recruit once again, but there are still holes up front.

Right tackle became an obvious issue against Appalachian State with Will Fries and Chasz Wright listed as co-starters. Wright took first team snaps to start the game, but Fries started the second half and got twice the snaps as Wright.

Keep an eye on the right tackle spot for Penn State going forward and see if the redshirt sophomore Fries can beat out the senior Wright.

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