No. 4 Penn State tries to keep playoff picture out of focus in prep for tough trip to Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS -- - With Penn State's strong push for a spot in the College Football Playoff still a couple of wins from completion, the biggest roadblock to a bid for the Nittany Lions in this favorable final third of their schedule has appeared with a trip to Minnesota.

That's why this week, naturally, is too early for them to talk about making the inaugural 12-team tournament - as enticing as their prospects might be.

"I think the quality of teams that we go in and play each week speaks for itself," quarterback Drew Allar said. "But as far as rankings, it doesn't really matter until it matters."

Penn State (9-1, 6-1 Big Ten) is fourth in both the AP poll and the CFP rankings this week, needing help for a long-shot hope of reaching the Big Ten title game because of a loss to now-No. 2 Ohio State on Nov. 2.

In this new era of playoff expansion, the Nittany Lions are on firm footing for an at-large bid. Lose to the unranked Gophers (6-4, 4-3), however, and that ground could become shaky given the current collection of standout two-loss teams in the SEC.

In case the Nittany Lions needed proof of the danger of letting focus diverge, coach James Franklin and his staff can call up the tape from Nov. 9, 2019. That's when an undefeated Penn State team came to Minnesota and lost 31-26.

The Nittany Lions lost again at Ohio State two weeks later and finished 11-2, one of several not-quite performances for this storied program that last went unbeaten in 1994 and hasn't been recognized as national champions since 1986.

The Gophers were undefeated themselves after that game before losses to rivals Iowa and Wisconsin ended their Rose Bowl quest. This team isn't on that level of talent and success from five years ago, but the chemistry has been off the charts. Coach P.J. Fleck drew attention to some of the individual standout performances that fueled the signature victory in 2019 in meetings with players this week.

"We need our best playmakers to play their best. Penn State's going to need their playmakers to be their best. That's what happens in November," Fleck said.

Warren's momentum

Tyler Warren has already shattered nearly every record for Penn State tight ends. The do-it-all senior become such a force his teammates insist he's worthy of the Heisman Trophy, tracking toward the top of the NFL draft board for his position next spring.

"He's the best tight end in America, but he's also the most complete tight end in America," Allar said.

Warren is coming off a 190-yard performance at Purdue that included 63 yards on three rushes and 127 yards on eight receptions.

"He has the ability to take a play that should be 2 or 3 yards and turn it into 30 or 40," Gophers defensive end Danny Striggow said.

Carter vs. Ersery

Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter has 17 tackles for loss, the second-most in the FBS, and eight sacks to match the third-most in the Big Ten. He has a challenging matchup this week with Minnesota left tackle Aireontae Ersery across from him in a battle of projected first-round NFL draft picks.

Gophers coaches told Striggow and his fellow defensive linemen a couple of seasons ago to relish the opportunity to face Ersery in practice.

"That's one of the best looks in the country that you're going to get," Striggow said.

Carter has successfully made the transition from linebacker this season.

"He is impacting the game in a number of ways, which creates opportunities for other guys on our defensive line and within our defense and causes a lot of headaches," Franklin said. "He is becoming more and more of a leader every single day."

Security measures

Allar and the Nittany Lions have paid particular attention to protecting the ball this week, given the Gophers have 16 interceptions, one short of the national lead. Penn State quarterback Drew Allar feels he'll need to be especially accurate this weekend considering Minnesota has 16 interceptions on the season.

"We're just going to have to be disciplined and stick to our game plan," Allar said.

Senior day

The Gophers have a strong group of departing players who will take the field at Huntington Bank Stadium for the final time, including Ersery, quarterback Max Brosmer, wide receiver Daniel Jackson, right guard Quinn Carroll, cornerback Justin Walley, kicker Dragan Kesich and Striggow.

"It's been good to reflect, but it's not over yet," Striggow said. "Those short windows of reflection, I cut 'em out and then say, 'We've got some more memories to make.'"

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