Purdue’s Aidan O’Connell attempted 60 passes by design, and Ohio threw 40 times out of necessity. Penn State is two games into its 2022 season, and it has yet to face an offense that prioritizes running the ball. That’s going to change this weekend.

Auburn is dependent on its ground game. That wasn’t the case in 2021 when it averaged 34.1 carries per game, second-fewest in the SEC behind Mike Leach’s pass-happy Mississippi State. But through two games — against inferior opponents, at that — Auburn’s rushing attack has been the only thing keeping its offense afloat.

And the Nittany Lions are well aware of that.

“This is the first test we’re going to get against a team that runs the ball,” Penn State’s Curtis Jacobs said. “I feel like this is the game you want to be a part of as a linebacker. Being able to come downhill, strike, get those tackles. I mean, you didn’t come to Penn State to be a linebacker to watch somebody play 7-on-7 against you.”

Unlike the Purdue opener — one in which Joey Porter Jr. and the secondary were on full display — this Saturday won’t feel like a summer 7-on-7. Penn State’s defensive line, and especially its inexperienced group of linebackers, will be tested by the Tigers as they attempt to grind their way to a win at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Auburn’s run game reliance is two-fold. Auburn’s quarterback play isn’t all that. Former LSU transfer TJ Finley has been somewhere between mediocre and disappointing. In two home starts against Mercer and San Jose State, Finley had thrown one touchdown and three interceptions.

Meanwhile, Tank Bigsby is one of the top tailbacks in college football. Last fall, the bruising 6-foot, 213-pounder had 10 rushing touchdowns and 1,099 yards, fourth most in the SEC. Bigsby eclipsed the century mark five times, including a 102-yard performance at Penn State in which he scored twice.

Bigsby, who entered the transfer portal after the season but decided to stay with the Tigers, has picked up where he left off the past two weeks. He ran over Mercer to the tune of 147 yards and two touchdowns in the opener and scored against San Jose State last Saturday in a more understated showing (13 carries, 51 yards).

Bigsby contributed to a three-pronged rushing attack in the Tigers’ 24-16 win over San Jose State. Jarquez Hunter, who had 63 yards at Penn State last year, chipped in 41 yards against the Spartans, and freshman Damari Alston added a 35-yard run.

That trio, headlined by Bigsby and running behind a senior-laden offensive line, is going to try to break Penn State in the trenches. Finley has been more of a liability than a strength, so it would be surprising if Bryan Harsin and his staff let him sling it around against Porter, Ji’Ayir Brown and company.

Whereas Penn State rolled out a lot of nickel and even dime sets against Purdue, expect to see more traditional 4-3 looks from defensive coordinator Manny Diaz, with the pressure squarely on a front seven that hasn’t created enough chaos through two games (eight TFLs, second worst in the Big Ten).

“When you talk about disruption plays, tackles for loss, sacks and things like that, going into the year we knew that at linebacker we had questions with returning experience,” Penn State coach James Franklin said Tuesday. “… I’m still a huge believer that it starts up front with our line setting the tone, especially when you still have inexperience behind them. It helps and takes some pressure off those guys. But this is going to be a challenge. There’s no doubt about it.”

Jacobs added: “We need to create more havoc out there, get our hands on the ball, more interceptions, more forced fumbles. … We need to disrupt offenses more.”

Jacobs will be familiar with Auburn after starting in last year’s win and picking up three tackles. But this year’s middle linebackers, Tyler Elsdon and Kobe King, didn’t garner defensive snaps. Jonathan Sutherland, now an outside linebacker, was still a rotational safety. Freshman outside linebacker Abdul Carter was still playing in the Philadelphia Catholic League for La Salle College High School.

But Elsdon and King will play a factor in setting up the defense from the middle. Sutherland’s “older voice,” as Jacobs described it, will be prominent on the plains. And Carter — who Jacobs said has “freakish” athleticism and upside — figures to log important snaps after impressing throughout training camp.

Up front, rotation will be key as the Auburn running game does its best to barge its way through. PJ Mustipher, Hakeem Beamon and Dvon Ellies will have to be at their best inside while Adisa Isaac, Chop Robinson and Nick Tarburton hold the edge.

It’s going to take a collective, persistent effort from the front seven for Penn State to leave Jordan-Hare Stadium with a 3-0 record.

“It’s going to be a different type of attitude, a different type of energy,” Jacobs said. “I feel like me and my guys in the front seven, and really the defense as a whole, are ready for that challenge.”

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