Change of pace: O'Brien, Penn State can rev up Nittany Lions' offense in 'NASCAR' mode

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – At times, a Penn State game can resemble a track meet these days.

It's not quite time to say goodbye to huddles and heavy-formation handoffs in Happy Valley, but when first-year coach Bill O'Brien wants to turn up the tempo, he goes "NASCAR."

It's Penn State's version of an up-tempo, no-huddle offense which has become all the rage in college football.

But at Penn State (4-2, 2-0 Big Ten), it's a dramatic change of pace from the previous regime which tended to be less risky and relied more on the run and field position.

Going NASCAR is just another new wrinkle in the host of changes installed by the offensive-minded O'Brien with the surging Nittany Lions, who have won four straight heading into Saturday's night's tilt at Iowa.