Hoosier State of Mind
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Indiana Football vs Penn State: 3 matchups to watch

By Alec Lasley

BLOOMINGTON, IN - OCTOBER 20: Peyton Ramsey #12 of the Indiana Hoosiers runs the ball against the Penn State Nittany Lions in the third quarter of the game at Memorial Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Bloomington, Indiana. Penn State won 33-28. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, IN - OCTOBER 20: Peyton Ramsey #12 of the Indiana Hoosiers runs the ball against the Penn State Nittany Lions in the third quarter of the game at Memorial Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Bloomington, Indiana. Penn State won 33-28. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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STATE COLLEGE, PA – AUGUST 31: Colton Richardson #19 of the Idaho Vandals is sacked by Antonio Shelton #55, Garrett Taylor #17 and Robert Windsor #54 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the first half at Beaver Stadium on August 31, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA – AUGUST 31: Colton Richardson #19 of the Idaho Vandals is sacked by Antonio Shelton #55, Garrett Taylor #17 and Robert Windsor #54 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the first half at Beaver Stadium on August 31, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

3. IU offensive line vs Penn State defense line

While the first two matchups were individual, this last matchup is a group effort and could go a long way in determining the winner of the game.

One of the most interesting stats that differentiates Peyton Ramsey from Michael Penix is the amount of times they have been sacked.

For Ramsey, the Indiana offensive line has let opposing d-lines get to him 12 times while allowing just one sack against Penix. Obviously we know who is under center come Saturday so going up against a Penn State line that ranks third in the conference with 31 sacks, averaging nearly four per game, will be a big test.

Everyone on the Penn State defensive line can get to the quarterback as all four starters have at least 2.5 sacks on the year, with three of them having at least 4.0.

The name to watch on the line for Penn State though is Yetur Gross-Matos. The junior lineman has 5.5 sacks this season and has been on a tear all season. In last year’s matchup against the Hoosiers Gross-Matos finished with 10 tackles and 2.0 sacks.

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While Ramsey can run the ball and will do so more frequently than Penix did, he also holds on to the ball longer which could cause some problems on Saturday.

It will be a big test for Indiana to go into Happy Valley and come out with a win, but if they can win some of these matchups, it will help their chances dramatically.

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