Here we go again, folks.

Penn State returns to Beaver Stadium for the first time since James Franklin’s firing in mid-October. Since then, the Nittany Lions lost away games to No. 20 Iowa and No. 1 Ohio State.

It won’t get any easier for Penn State as the No. 2-ranked Indiana Hoosiers come to town. This isn’t an Indiana team that Penn State is used to playing, with second-year head coach Curt Cignetti turning the program around in record time.

Although down and (probably) out, some of our staff are hanging on to hope that Penn State can rally past the Hoosiers and pick up its first Power Four win of the season.

Cadyn Gill (6-2): Indiana 34, Penn State 20

Terry Smith says the passing attack will be more effective and explosive this week, which I doubt. I’d rather Penn State just pound the football on the ground against the Hoosiers and turn it into a physical brawl, but regardless, I expect another rough weekend for the Nittany Lions. Hey, at least I get to tailgate!

Fernando Martinez Ruiz De Esparza (5-3): Indiana 31, Penn State 20

This game is going to be more interesting than we think, folks.

I understand Penn State has lost five games in a row, but they have been playing with a lot of effort and grit since Terry Smith took over as the head coach. Now, it will play its first home game since the firing of James Franklin, and I expect the home-field advantage to play a huge factor in this matchup against Indiana. If the Nittany Lions can replicate the same performance they had against Ohio State in the first half, they could give a potential upset scare to the Hoosiers. However, they need to maintain that intensity in the second half if they want to pull off the upset, which will be hard against the No. 1 offense in the country.

As for Indiana, it has exceeded its expectations this season. The Hoosiers started as the No. 20 team in the country and climbed all the way to No. 2. A big reason for this has been their quarterback, Fernando Mendoza, who has been playing like a Heisman candidate. They are the number one offense in the country, averaging almost 48 points per game, and are undefeated. Penn State’s defense has a huge challenge on hand, so its offense will have to play its best game of the season if it wants to pull off the upset.

However, despite the home-field advantage, I expect Penn State to come up short against Indiana, but this game will be more competitive than people expect. The Hoosiers win for the first time at Beaver Stadium.

Michael Zeno (5-3): Indiana 33, Penn State 23

The entire community needs this team to find a way to end the losing streak with a monumental upset, but Indiana has been extremely good, folks.

Curt Cignetti earned every penny of his gargantuan extension. He turned a program that couldn’t even dream of a College Football Playoff spot into one that could seriously contend for a championship in two years. He’s done the unthinkable there, and you have to wonder if his quick rise contributed to the souring on James Franklin not being able to get to where Indiana is currently with more time and resources.

It’s been nine years since Penn State has been an underdog this large at home, but they notably won that game. In any other circumstance, I’d be confident the Nittany Lions would defend home field, but things have just spiraled out of control. They’ll give the Hoosiers a serious fit, but Indiana’s offense will overwhelm this defense in the end.

CJ Gill (5-3): Indiana 31, Penn State 21

It feels like it’s been an entire lifetime since Penn State last played inside Beaver Stadium. I’m not really sure what to expect from the crowd when the Hoosiers and Nittany Lions battle it out at noon this Saturday.

Terry Smith has a tall order to rally the troops in order to complete the upset against the second-ranked team in the country. Indiana’s offense is legit and puts up points in a very efficient manner, and the Nittany Lions have struggled to stop good offenses all season long. I think it will be the difference in the game once again this weekend. Penn State will need a few plays to go its way to pull off the unthinkable and shock the college football world. Indiana has never won in Happy Valley, so maybe there is some hope.

Jamie Lynch (3-5): Penn State 28, Indiana 24

I believe things happen for a reason. I really do. And after the Oregon game, I think the college football gods heard me. 

I was upset that I would never witness Penn State win a big, regular-season, home game during my college tenure. I was upset that I’d never get to storm the field. 

Would I rather our team be in a better position right now? Absolutely. But my gut feeling says that we might witness a miracle on Saturday. And that tradeoff would make everything just a little sweeter. 

Jacob Zacharia (2-0): Penn State 30, Indiana 24

It’s a trap game in Beaver Stadium with a loud crowd and another great Kaytron Allen performance. Penn State will pull this one out on a game-winning fourth-down stop.

Jason Perry (2-3): Indiana 34, Penn State 17

Last week, Penn State played better against Ohio State than most teams have this season. That being said, they still lost by 24. I think the Nittany Lions can get a bit closer against Indiana, but the Hoosiers aren’t that far behind Ohio State. It would take a miracle, but a big win on Saturday would show the world that Penn State still has what it takes, and it might even show Curt Cignetti where he should coach next year. I’d be lying if I predicted a win this week, but I’d be happy to be wrong.

Brandon Collica (2-0): Indiana 41, Penn State 14

Indiana is only a 14.5-point favorite, which, in my opinion, is pretty disrespectful to the Hoosiers. Indiana will continue their historic run of dominance, beating Penn State soundly.

Karlee Feger (1-1): Indiana 38, Penn State 14

Indiana is going to take control of this game early. As the No. 2 in the country, its offense is going to be explosive. I think Kaytron Allen is going to continue performing well for the Nittany Lions, but unless we start seeing more from the offense as a whole, I expect this game to favor Indiana.

Alex Wilczynski (0-2): Indiana 24, Penn State 14

Listen, at this point, who knows anymore? Every game feels like a coin flip and an emotional rollercoaster, so it’s tough to say this time around. We’ll just have to see which version of the team shows up this week.

Ericka Apolskis (0-1): Penn State 27, Indiana 24

‘Tis the season for believing.

Oscar Orellana (3-5): Penn State 27, Indiana 24

It’d be so funny to help out Ohio State two weeks in a row. We’re so cooked.

Cooper Cazares (3-5): Penn State 31, Indiana 28

I ain’t hear no bell.

Penn State gets on the board this weekend. Shoutout to Ryan Barker for the game-winning field goal.