Penn State's defense has allowed 285 total yards and seven points since the change.
The Nittany Lions' win over Illinois bumped them up two spots.
"We got challenged by [James Franklin] and we took that to heart."
Freshman Anthony Speca is expected to play if DeLuca was ruled out, Franklin said after practice Wednesday.
"We are preparing him this week to be ready to go."
"I think their secondary is really going to be a challenge for us."