One Month in and the Nittany Lions are Still Trying to Find Their Lead Running Back

This week in Happy Valley feels like it might not have been so happy at all. There appears to have been a lot of looking in the mirror for the Nittany Lions team, who put together one of the most disappointing losses that you will ever have to watch.

Everyone has responsibility in the horrific collapse, no one more than head coach Matt Campbell. 

Campbell didn't do himself any favors during his weekly press conference as he made some pretty questionable comments about his approach at the end of the game, and then he backed that up by saying that the Nittany Lions' running back room is still a work in progress. 

It is one month into the season, and Penn State is still unsure about who their top back is in the backfield. That's a major problem.

Campbell said that while he believes that the four guys getting carries are capable of doing it, he and the staff are waiting for one of them to take control of the position and not let it go.

The four guys in the battle are Ohio State Transfer James Peoples, who leads the way with 37 carries for 199 yards; Carson Hansen, with 39 carries for 180 yards; Quinton Martin; and Cam Wallace, who have each carried it in the 20s.

It is a balanced attack in that room, and no one is really taking control of it, and no one has had the opportunity to do so so far in the game.

There are obviously many factors that go into playing the running back position, including pass protection and the ability to run routes and contribute to the passing game. However, a balanced attack like the Nittany Lions' doesn't allow anyone to stand out.

These guys in the backfield have to make the most of their chances during the week and on Saturdays because it is going to be a hard job to win, but one that the offense absolutely needs.

Saturday is the perfect example of the critical need at the position. When your quarterback is struggling and the defense is playing strong, you need a run game to balance everything out. The Nittany Lions didn't get that, and the result was a loss.

It is critically important that, over the next couple of days and weeks that someone separates in that position group and takes it over. It has to happen if they want to take the next step as an offense.