Five major concerns for Penn State after their bye week

There seems to be a problem with everything surrounding the Nittany Lions as they approach this bye week with more questions than answers. The team looks entirely different from the squad that started out 3-0 and as of right now, they're closer to missing a bowl altogether than to getting their season back on track. While they certainly have some winnable games on the back half of their schedule, they have given fans no reason to believe in any sort of rebound. Here are five major concerns the Nittany Lions must address during and even after this bye week.

Not even the most casual of Penn State fans can act like Becht has been anything but abysmal over these past four weeks. He looks nothing like the quarterback that started out the season with no turnovers during their nonconference slate. In fact, ever since their last nonconference game against Buffalo, Becht has thrown five interceptions. Against Michigan, you could say he was the sole reason that the Wolverines got back into the game in the second half, as all 21 of their points can be attributed to a Becht turnover. If this situation does not get figured out soon, fans will not be scared to voice their opinion.

Another issue stemming from the offense and perhaps the reason for Becht's struggles is the ineptitude of the run game. Consider the fact that in 16 straight quarters, the Nittany Lions running backs have failed to have a carry for over 10 plus yards. They have averaged an abysmal 2.2 yards per carry in their Big Ten games and 78 yards per game. It seems as if a room with a lot of different traits is struggling to find the best one to bring out an identity that works. Taylor Mouser has a lot of work to do if he really wants this running game to ever get off the ground.

This always seems to be a problem for the blue and white no matter who's coaching them these days. For some reason, whenever they get inside the twenty yard line, they never seems to put up touchdowns. While Ryan Barker is a fine kicker, Penn State fans are probably tired of seeing him trot out there more often than not after another failed drive in the red zone. The Nittany Lions have somehow 28 red zone trips into only 15 touchdown drives. Considering the fact that the offense already struggles as a whole, it doesn't make matters any better.

While the offense seemingly has more problems, that does not mean that the defense has not had many either. One of the most glaring ones stems from up front and the lack of production from what was thought to be a strength of this team. While players like Dani Dennis-Sutton and Abdul Carter are not in Happy Valley anymore, a deep rotation up front was expected to produce. That has so far not been the case. The defense has only managed 9 sacks and seven of those have come from linebackers. In fact, Caleb Bacon , who accounts for one of the two remaining sacks, was converted to be an edge rusher from the linebacker position. If the actual D-line can't do its job, it puts unnecessary pressure on the entire defensive unit.

Another problem that stems from both units' issues is Penn State's turnover margin. Sitting at minus-1, it is not indicative of a team that both takes care of the football and takes it away. Sure, there have been bright spots in the secondary, like freshman Josiah Zayas , but when the offense keeps turning the ball over themselves, whatever hard work the defense does gets erased just as quickly. Penn State needs to put itself into more situations where the offense can benefit from defensive takeaways and the defense doesn't have to feel the pressure of making up for the offense's mistakes.