Explosive. Exciting. Game-breaking.

Those are three words that currently explain the Penn State passing attack and the play of its quarterback Sean Clifford. Those are also three words that not many prognosticators would’ve chosen when talking about the Nittany Lions’ passing game in the preseason.

However, the marriage between new offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich and the experienced Clifford has been nothing short of a honeymoon as Yurcich’s offensive scheme has inspired the redshirt senior. Up to this point in the season Clifford has put together a stellar campaign. He was named Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week after throwing for 401 yards and four touchdowns against Villanova a week ago, with seven of his completions going for 20 or more yards.

Clifford will need to be on his game again this week as the Nittany Lions (7:30 ET, ABC) look to get revenge on an Indiana team that sent them into a tail spin last season, upsetting Penn State in the opening game of the 2020 campaign. The loss to the Hoosiers culminated in thaws the first in the Nittany Lions’ 0-5 start last season.

Indiana will undoubtedly be looking to play spoiler once again as Penn State (4-0) has moved up to the No. 4 spot in the Associated Press Poll and has put itself in the driver’s seat in the Big 10 East. When it comes to stopping Indiana, keeping tabs on quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is a must. When healthy, Penix Jr. is a playmaker as he’s thrown 821 yards, with four touchdowns. Coming off a knee injury from last season, though, Penix Jr. looks a little more inconsistent than usual as he’s thrown six interceptions.

Penix Jr.’s turnover woes this season certainly excite a Penn State secondary that did not allow an opponent passing touchdown through the first 147 passing attempts faced this season, which is the most in the FBS in 2021, and the first 15 quarters of the season.

Ji’Ayir Brown recorded his second interception of the season and Penn State’s fifth of the season against Villanova. Brown and Jaquan Brisker, an all Lackawanna College safety pair, have been really crafty on the year at forcing turnovers, so that is something to keep an eye in this one, especially if the Nittany Lions are able to generate pressure on Penix Jr. Western Kentucky sacked Penix Jr. three times a week ago.

There’s no doubt the Penn State rushing attack has struggled this season as its averaged just 113.5 rushing yards per game, which is last in the Big 10 and 111th in the country. It’s definitely something the Nittany Lions need to figure out, but Indiana has been pretty tough against the run, giving up just 106.2 rushing yards per game.

It would be beneficial for Penn State to figure its run game out this week, but the Hoosiers have not been good against the pass, so I expect the Nittany Lions’ offense to take advantage of that. Just last week, Indiana gave up 365 yards and three touchdowns in the passing game to Western Kentucky.

Penn State has two pretty good weapons for Clifford in the passing game in Jahan Dotson and Parker Washington, who each went over the 100-yard mark against Villanova last week. Dotson had seven catches for 117 yards and a touchdown, while Washington had five catches for 148 yards and two touchdowns. Dotson (27 rec, 362 yards, 4 TD) and Washington (23, 301, 2TD) are the only receiver duo in the Power Five with at least 23 receptions and 300 receiving yards this season.

The Clifford and Dotson connection has been special as the two connected on a 52-yard touchdown on Penn State’s first offensive play against Villanova. It marked the 16th passing touchdown between the duo. They trail only Todd Blackledge-Kenny Jackson (17) as the top QB-WR touchdown pair in Penn State history. Among current FBS players, they are only trailing Iowa State’s Brock Purdy-Charlie Kolar (17).

The Hoosiers are coming into Happy Valley with two losses – a 34-6 loss to Iowa and a 38-24 loss to Cincinnati. Indiana always plays Penn State tough, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see it hang in there for most of the game.

But there is no doubt that the Nittany Lions are out for vengeance in this one after that heartbreaking loss from a season ago. I think Penn State really gets after it defensively and gets pressure on Penix Jr. throughout the game, who I think will struggle against the Nittany Lions’ secondary.

I also like the confidence Clifford is playing with as he’s thrown for 1,158 yds (289.5), with eight touchdowns and just two interceptions. Look for a few more explosive plays in the passing game and the 7:30 p.m. crowd to create yet another electric environment.

My pick is Penn State 37, Indiana 17.