Identity (noun) ... the fact of being who or what a person or thing is.

There’s no doubt that Penn State football is back and that head coach James Franklin has solidified its future with past, present, and most likely future recruiting classes.

However, in my opinion there is one unit on a football team more than any other that must from the onset have a certain type of identity for a program to reach elite status. That identity must be one of physicality, toughness, and a consistent approach week in and week out. The offensive line is the unit I’m referring to and right now at Penn State, it’s safe to say the big boys up front are certainly experiencing an identity crisis.

Simply put, Penn State’s offensive line has not been able to move people off the line of scrimmage as of late and the person that has suffered the most has been running back Saquon Barkley.

Since week eight, where Barkley had 108 yards and two scores against Michigan, he’s not rushed for more than 63 yards. In fact, in his last three games Barkley has rushed for an average of just 47.3 yards per game at a dismal three yards per carry.

Now, you don’t need me to tell you how talented of a running back Saquon Barkley is. There’s no way he should be averaging just 47 yards per game. There’s times in the past three games where Barkley hasn’t even been able to get back to the line of scrimmage because a defender is hitting him as he is being handed the ball.

I don’t think there’s any doubt that Penn State is a top 10 team, but until its offensive line can consistently play physical football I’m afraid that’s all it will ever be. To be a College Football Playoff team you have to win the battle in the trenches and the Nittany Lions offensive line has proven that at this moment it can’t do that.

“We’ve got to be more physical up front at O-line and tight end and sustain and finish blocks,” said Franklin. “We’re playing the guys that we feel like give us the best chance to win on Saturdays. We’ve obviously had some injuries which have factored into it.

“We don’t spend a whole lot of time talking about injuries, because it’s the next-man-up mentality on offense, defense, and special teams. But we’ve got to be more physical up front with the O-line and the tight end. There is no doubt about it.”

Franklin seems to say the same thing every week since the Michigan game about the offensive line — and what else can he say? At this point in time, it seems that he isn’t considering any changes along the offensive line, but if things continue the way they are I don’t see how he can’t make any changes. Penn State has talented offensive line underclassmen in Michael Miranda, Michal Menet, and C.J. Thorpe waiting to get on the field. If things don’t improve maybe it’s time to give these kids a shot.

Even though I didn’t start this week’s column off in a positive way I will talk about a positive from last week, which is Penn State was able to come away with a 35-6 victory over Big Ten East opponent Rutgers. The win snapped its two-game losing streak and propelled it into the top 10 in the CFP rankings.

At 4 p.m. today on Fox Sports 1, the Nittany Lions (8-2, 5-2 Big Ten) will be taking on a Nebraska (4-6, 3-4 Big Ten) team that I think just wants to forget about a season that has been a huge disappointment. The Cornhuskers have not been playing good football of late, coming into Beaver Stadium losers of four out of their last five games.

The first match-up to look at in this one (sorry I’m going back to the running game again) is the Penn State rushing attack versus the Nebraska defense. If there was ever a team to turn around this struggling run game against its Nebraska. The Cornhuskers are surrendering 200 yards per game on the ground. At some point, something has to give, right? Where’s the Penn State offensive line from the Michigan game?

I thought last week Saquon Barkley was going to run wild on Rutgers. I was wrong, so this week I’m not even going to make any declarations, I’m just going to say the opportunity for Barkley to have a big day will be there.

This game will also come down to if Nebraska quarterback Tanner Lee is healthy enough to make a difference. Lee has been in the concussion protocol all week, but all reports out of Lincoln indicate he will be able to play. It’s just not clear how healthy he’ll be.

Lee is athletic and he can throw it around. He also has solid stats this season, throwing for 2,359 yards and 18 scores. Lee does turn the ball over though as he’s thrown 13 interceptions. As a team, that’s been an issue for Nebraska as it’s minus-five on the season in the turnover department. That’s something I think Penn State can exploit, but that’s predicated upon the defensive line being able to generate pressure on Lee. Talented quarterbacks have hurt Penn State when they’ve been allowed to be comfortable in pocket – take a look at the Ohio State and Michigan State games as proof for that.

Las Vegas has Penn State as a 27-point favorite.

I think the weather is going to have an impact on this one as there’s a high chance of rain all day long today, meaning it could be a sloppy day for all involved. Nebraska gave up 54 points to Minnesota last week, and if the weather was better I think the Penn State offense could hang up a 50-spot on the Cornhuskers as well.

I think the rain makes this one a tight ball game early, but the Nittany Lions will pull away in the second half.

My pick is Penn State 38, Nebraska 13.