Well, you could almost feel it coming. After Penn State’s dominant Week-One win over Marshall, Nittany Lions fans were just riding too high.

Then came Week Two — and a quick dose of reality. Penn State struggled to capitalize on red zone scoring chances in the first half against Temple, heading into the half with just a 10–3 lead.

The Nittany Lions ultimately pulled away for a 29-7 victory, but there was plenty left on the table in that matchup. I’m sure the film study made it clear they had no shortage of things to clean up in practice this week.

I think the most worrisome thing to me was that Penn State couldn’t run the ball in the red zone. The rushing offense in general hasn’t been explosive at all, as they’re averaging 155.5 rushing yards per game, which ranks 80th in the country.

Carson Hansen is still working his way back into game shape after missing a few weeks of fall camp, so I think he deserves some benefit of the doubt this week as he tries to regain his explosiveness. No. 2 running back James Peoples looked good against the Owls, picking up 42 yards and averaging six yards per carry. I’d also like to see Quinton Martin get more opportunities. He didn’t record a touch last week, and based on Matt Campbell’s comments in his press conference, it sounds like Martin may not have had his best week of practice.

The run game needs to get better before Big Ten play begins, so I think this is a big week for PSU in that department. The offensive line needs to do a better job of finishing their assignment to break open one of the backs.

One thing that is very encouraging, however, is the play of quarterback Rocco Becht. Becht has been one of the best quarterbacks in the Big Ten, as he’s thrown for 539 yards and seven touchdowns with zero interceptions, which is right around 270 yards per game.

His seven passing TDs are the most from a Penn State QB through the first two games of a season since Tony Sacca in 1991. Becht has also been aggressive at throwing the ball down the field, with six of his passing scores being 15 or more yards.

Koby Howard has been the breakout star at wide receiver, but Benjamin Brahmer is now entering that category from his tight end position. Brahmer, who is a big target at 6-7, 250, led the way last week with five catches for 79 yards and two 20-plus yard TD catches.

The Penn State passing attack will be going up against a Buffalo defense at noon today (BTN) that ranks near the worst in the country at defending the pass. The Bulls are giving up 295 yards passing per game which is 132nd out of 138 FBS teams.

The best matchup of the day will be the Nittany Lions’ defense against Bulls wide receiver Chance Morrow. Morrow, at 6-4, 191 pounds, has been a matchup issue for opposing defenses throughout the first two weeks. He’s hauled in 18 catches for 218 yards and five touchdowns.

It looks like sophomore signal caller Jason Wright is going to be getting the first start of his career in Beaver Stadium this afternoon with starter Elijah Holmes not practicing this week after he tweaked his knees against FIU. Wright did come in and play well after Holmes got hurt, throwing for 185 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.

Penn State’s defense in general has been pretty good this season, as they boast the No. 1 scoring defense in the country, giving up just 4.5 points per game. They also rank fourth in the country in passing defense, allowing just 105 passing yards per contest.

An area PSU must improve on before getting into Big Ten play is its pass rush, compiling just two sacks in two games. News hit after the game last week that the Nittany Lions projected top pass rusher Max Granville will be out for the season with a knee injury. That’s a big blow to the edge unit, which is the unit that had the most to prove coming into the season.

So, now you’re looking at a group of Yvan Kemajou, Ikenna Ezeogu, Caleb Bacon and Alexander McPherson as your top four with Liam Andrews and true freshman Jackson Ford now expected to see increased snaps. All those guys have great size, but I feel like they’re more suited to defend the run. Bacon is the only player I’ve seen so far with some good speed off the edge and he just converted to edge from linebacker this season.

Buffalo’s offense has not been great, averaging 321 yards per game, which ranks 118th in the country. There’s not much firepower out there other than Morrow, so if the Nittany Lions can put the clamps on him, it should be a rough day for the Bulls moving the football.

Las Vegas has Penn State as a 41.5 point favorite over Buffalo.

The Nittany Lions came out with their hair on fire against Marshall because of Becht and the passing offense in Week One. I can see that happening again. Becht has looked locked in and the Bulls don’t have the horses to guard Howard, Brahmer and the rest of PSU receiving cast.

This is a big game simply for the fact that the Nittany Lions must use this game to get better before they host Wisconsin next week. I think they come out focused and ready to go.

My pick is: Penn State 49, Buffalo 6.