Who will be starting at quarterback today for Penn State as it takes on Illinois at Beaver Stadium on homecoming weekend?

That storyline outweighs even the match-up with the Illini as Sean Clifford’s departure two weeks ago at Kinnick Stadium led to a 23-20 Hawkeyes win.

The Nittany Lions were in full control of the game against Iowa when he went down and Penn State certainly looked to be the better ball club, but after Clifford departed the Nittany Lions’ offense wasn’t able to move the football with back-up Taquan Roberson.

Reports out of State College this week indicate that Clifford has been practicing with Roberson and third-string quarterback true freshman Christian Veilleux splitting the rest of the reps. The debate amongst most Penn State fans this week is should Clifford play if he isn’t 100 percent healthy? Ohio State looms a week from today, so it’s a slippery slope where arguments could certainly be made on both sides.

Do you want Clifford’s first meaningful snaps to be on the road at Ohio State or in front of a home crowd against a much lesser talented opponent in Illinois? But do you also want to risk further injury by rushing him out there too soon and then he isn’t available for the game against the Buckeyes?

First and foremost, if Clifford isn’t healthy enough and it’s not safe for him to play, he won’t be out there. But if his injury is as many have speculated to be a rib injury, then it comes down to how effectively he can perform his duties and deal with the pain and hindrances a rib injury presents. Looking at some of the video of Clifford throwing this week at practice, it’s easy to see that he’s definitely in some pain, but is a 75 percent Clifford better than what the Nittany Lions currently have at back-up?

I would expect if Clifford continued to practice this week and feels good enough that he can do all the things he’s expected to do to run the offense effectively, that he will be out there. One more week of rest certainly couldn’t hurt, but to throw him out there cold after three weeks of not competing and then expect him to come out and make plays out of the gate against the Buckeyes in the Horse Shoe is a lot to ask any quarterback of any skill level. I think you will see Clifford this week for at least a few offensive series so they can start to work him back in the mix before heading to Ohio State.

Penn State will take on the Fighting Illini at noon today (ABC) as the Nittany Lions celebrate homecoming. Illinois has struggled this season and is coming off a 24-0 home loss to Wisconsin. If Clifford plays, I think the Nittany Lions offense will be able roll against Illinois, who rank dead last in the Big Ten and 101st in the country in total defense, giving up nearly 430 yards of offense per game.

If Clifford isn’t able to go, Roberson will need to either be extremely improved in the passing game (just 7-of-21 for 34 yards and two interceptions against Iowa) or Penn State is going to need to have some success running the football. Roberson did show he can be dangerous in the running game and Noah Cain and Keyvone Lee are certainly due for a breakout performance.

Devyn Ford and John Lovett left the Iowa game and didn’t return, so their status is up in the air, so it just might be a two-headed attack against the Illini. Either way, the run game should be able to get going against Illinois with it giving up 391 rushing yards to the Badgers a week ago.

Ultimately, I think the Illinois offense will be purely outmatched against Penn State’s defense. Losing PJ Mustipher for the season against Iowa will certainly be a tough loss, but D’Von Ellies and Coziah Izzard showed some promise filling in for Mustipher. Mustpiher’s ability and leadership can’t be replaced, but it’s next man up and Ellies and Izzard certainly possess the talent to come in and do a solid job.

Against a tough defensive front in Wisconsin last week, Illinois threw for just 67 yards and rushed for only 26 yards. Between Penn State’s pass rush and its speed on the back end with its linebackers and defensive backs, I just don’t see a way that the Illini will be able to generate much offense.

Again, this game will have some interesting aspects to it if Clifford isn’t able to go. I’m sure it did help having a week off for both Clifford to treat his injury and for Roberson to get some more reps. Still, as I mentioned, I think this one comes down to the Nittany Lions defense and their ability to create turnovers and rush the passer. I think Clifford is able to start the ball game and Penn State gets out to a decent lead early and Roberson comes in the game to relieve Clifford at some point.

My pick is Penn State 35, Illinois 7.