Penn State vs. Minnesota Predictions: Can the Nittany Lions Avoid a Road Accident?

Penn State is approaching its final road game of the 2024 regular season with a College Football Playoff berth in the cards. Will the Nittany Lions take another step toward securing their spot?

Penn State (9-1, 6-1 Big Ten) will travel to Minnesota (6-4, 4-3 Big Ten) for the penultimate Big Ten game of the season. The No. 4 ranked Nittany Lions will tip off against the Golden Gophers on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. at TCF Bank Stadium. The game will air on CBS.

Penn State is one of the most respected teams in the country at this point in the season. Only Oregon, Ohio State and Texas are ahead of the Nittany Lions in the latest CFP rankings. James Franklin’s team has almost no chance of making the CFP – or having a first-round game at Beaver Stadium – if it wins at Minnesota on Saturday and over Maryland next weekend.

This weekend is expected to be the tougher of the two tests for the Nittany Lions. Minnesota, led by New Hampshire transfer guard Max Brosmer, has been playing well lately. The Gophers have won four of their last five games, including victories over Illinois and USC.

Penn State last played in Minnesota in 2019. The Nittany Lions were ranked No. 4 in November and lost to P.J. Fleck’s team. Franklin and company will be hoping for a different result this time around to keep their momentum going into the 12-team CFP.

Here are our PennLive staff predictions for Penn State-Minnesota.

Johnny McGonigal, PennLive reporter

PLAYER IN PLACE: Drew Allar. Minnesota, led by phenom freshman guard Koi Perich, leads the Big Ten with 16 interceptions. This is a secondary player that can turn a game on its head. Allar and point guard Andy Kotelnicki will have to choose when and how to attack the Gophers – and prevent Minnesota from giving up short fields or, worse, points.

DON’T BE SURPRISED IF… Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton eclipsed 35 carries combined. The running back duo has only done it once this year (against Illinois). But in four losses, Minnesota has given up 683 yards on 167 carries, an average of 41.8 per game. The Nittany Lions have the ability to control this game on the ground.

FORECAST: I think this will remind a lot of people of the wins over Illinois and UCLA earlier in the season. The Nittany Lions will dictate the game, and at no point—except maybe the first quarter—are they in any real danger of getting an upset. Penn State must take a business-like approach and pull off an upset victory if necessary. Penn State 24, Minnesota 13.

Bob Flounders, PennLive reporter

PLAYER IN PLACE: Jaylen Reed and Zaki Whitley. Protecting the Lions veterans will be an important part of Penn State’s defensive plan to minimize the damage done by talented Minnesota running back Darius Taylor as a kicker and receiver. I like the match against PSU.

DON’T BE SURPRISED IF: The Lions turn to punter Ryan Barker to end the possession in the red zone. Minnesota’s defense may be stingy here.

FORECAST: The Lions’ defensive front must be prepared for a healthy Danny Dennis-Sutton to return to his old destructive ways. Taylor struggles to find room to move. Penn State 32, Minnesota 13.

Max Ralph, PennLive reporter

PLAYER IN PLACE: Drew Allar. Or rather, his ability to protect the ball. Minnesota ranks among the nation’s best with 16 interceptions this season, and if the Gophers are going to pull off a major upset, they’ll have to do it with short fields. Allard needs to continue to do what he has done for most of his career, avoiding game-changing plays.

DON’T BE SURPRISED IF… Tyler Warren scores multiple touchdowns again. Yes, I know. This is not a hot option. But not only is he Warren Penn State’s best player and the Lions will need him in the last true test of the year, but PSU’s push to get Warren into the Heisman negotiations has reached full steam. Franklin and company will continue to feed the beast.

FORECAST: A trip to Minnesota has ruined Penn State’s postseason hopes in the past, but I don’t think that will happen this year. The Nittany Lions are too complete a team and have avoided blowouts at every turn this season against weaker opponents. Plus, I really like the way this defense plays. The Gophers will go down, but not too close. Penn State 31, Minnesota 13.

Joe Hermitt, PennLive photojournalist

PLAYER IN PLACE: This is not your typical Minnesota offense that likes to have the ball and control the clock. They had difficulty moving the ball on the ground, which made them one-dimensional. If the Gophers can’t at least threaten the run, it will work to Penn State’s advantage and it will be a long day for the home team.

DON’T BE SURPRISED IF… Penn State’s passing attack began, causing Gophers QB Max Brosmer to be sacked four times, resulting in turnovers.

FORECAST: PSU looks set for a home playoff game and Minnesota doesn’t have the horses to stop them. The Lions continue to do their business, beating the teams they are supposed to and marching toward the Dec. 21 date at Beaver Stadium. Penn State 28, Minnesota 13.