Penn State @ Northwestern preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 6, 2010 ) Northwestern 21, Penn State 35

THE STORY: Penn State’s defense has been good enough to carry the Nittany Lions to five straight wins and make up for a lack of pop on offense. However, if No. 22 Penn State is going to be considered among the country’s elite, it will need the offense to step up against Northwestern on Saturday. The Wildcats, who have dropped four in a row, can still produce points in a hurry - if they have the right quarterback. In last week’s 41-31 loss to Iowa, Northwestern employed three different signal-callers.

TV: Big Ten Network. LINE: Penn State -4

ABOUT PENN STATE (6-1, 3-0 Big Ten): Penn State’s defense is a championship caliber. It has been especially disruptive against the pass, boasting the seventh-best pass defense (161.1 yards against per game) and recording 11 interceptions. Outside of stud running back Silas Redd, who is fourth in the Big Ten in rushing (100.7 yards per game), the Penn State offense has been a disaster. Coach Joe Paterno continues to juggle quarterbacks Rob Bolden and Matt McGloin, with McGloin appearing the lesser of two evils.

ABOUT NORTHWESTERN (2-4, 0-3): Quarterback Dan Persa hasn’t been the same since returning from an Achilles injury in Week 4. Persa isn’t as mobile in the pocket and is no longer a dual threat. Last year against Penn State, he rushed for 109 yards and two touchdowns. This season, he has minus-18 rushing yards through four games. It has forced coach Pat Fitzgerald to split snaps with versatile backup Kain Colter, who has rushed for 370 yards and five touchdowns. The Wildcats have also stumbled on defense, giving up big plays through the air. They’re last in the conference in defending the pass and allow 9.9 yards per completion - worst among the 120 FBS teams.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. Northwestern has lost the last four meetings with the Nittany Lions and trail the all-time series 3-10-1. The last time the Wildcats beat Penn State was 14-7 in 2004.

2. Both coaches can reach career milestones with a win. Paterno can record win No. 408 and tie Eddie Robinson for second most career victories in all NCAA divisions. Fitzgerald can move past Ara Parseghian and Dick Hanley, and tie Randy Walker for the second most wins at Northwestern.

3. Derek Moye, Penn State's leading receiver, will sit out another game with a broken foot after falling down stairs at his apartment two weeks ago. Moye has caught 28 balls for 485 yards and three touchdowns.

PREDICTION: Penn State 24, Northwestern 21 - Once again, the Nittany Lions squeak out a close one thanks to their incredible efforts on defense.