Penn State hasn’t been tested yet this season, and that will change tonight thanks to Illinois.
Illinois is the best team Penn State will have faced to this point.
The surprising Illini, who went 5-7 last season, are 4-0 so far with a win over then-No. 19 Kansas at home and a win at than-No. 22 Nebraska last Friday night.
No. 9 Penn State will be Illinois biggest test, especially on the road at night in a Beaver Stadium that could be filled with White. It will be a wild scene in the stands, and 100,000+ will be watching to see what Penn State QB Drew Allar can do.
This Illinois secondary— which picked off seven passes in 12 games last season— has already picked off seven through four. So Allar will be tested, but all indications so far are that he’s ready. Through three games, he’s completed nearly 71% of his passes, throwing eight touchdown passes to one interception. His QBR of 90.3 ranks fifth, and he’s also second in the country in passing efficiency and first in quarterback rating.
Allar will also be going up against a much-improved QB in Luke Altmyer.
Altmyer, who threw four interceptions and got benched in last season’s 30-13 loss to Penn State at home, has thrown 10 TDs and no INTs, the only QB in the country who’s accomplished that feat.
Penn State is favored by 18 but it certainly could be much closer than that.
As always, plenty of people will be in Beaver Stadium. For those who won’t be, here’s more information on how to watch and listen to the game.
Kickoff time: 7:30
TV: NBC
Livestream: Peacock
TV announcers: Noah Eagle (pxp), Penn State legend Todd Blackledge (color), Kathryn Tappen (sidelines)
Raido: Penn State Football Radio Affiliates
Radio announcers: Steve Jones (PXP), Jack Ham (color), Brian Tripp (sideline)
SiriusXM: 83/195/957
