Sunday, November 23, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
PSU Preview: Michigan State
Game 12
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Saturday, November 22. 3:30 est. Beaver Stadium
Well, it’s the last regular season game for our 7/8th ranked Penn State Nittany Lions and it’s a bigee. With the Land Grant Trophy (ugliest trophy ever) up for grabs, 15th ranked Michigan State comes to town. Oh yeah, and if that weren’t enough, a PSU win will lock up its second Big Ten title in 4 years and secure a spot in The Grandaddy of Them All…The Rose Bowl. The weather will be cold, which means lots of orange hunting gear, and those on hand for the game will not only witness the final home game for seniors like Deon Butler and Derrick Williams, but perhaps also Coach Joe Paterno(don’t count on it, though). At any rate, this should be a terrific ending to a terrific 2008 Penn State Football season.
Break down…
When PSU is on offense: Against Indiana last week, the offense looked very inconsistent and, at times, nonexistent. Whatever your assessment is, know this, however: our whole goal on offense last week was to get through the game healthy (not to impress), and to get QB Daryll Clark as many reps as possible to get him feeling 100% ready for this all-important game. That being said, our offense needs to prove it can play better than it has the past 3 games. Make no mistake about it, Michigan State has a decent defense, and they will come after Clark; therefore protection of him is paramount, as is his ability to make good decisions. The offense would love to come out fast and score on its first possession, something it hasn’t done since the Wisconsin game. Hopefully we won’t have to wait until the second quarter to get it going, because against Michigan State that may be too late.
When PSU is on defense: Our defense may have its hands full on Saturday if it can’t stop the run. Michigan State boasts one of the best ground games in the country, led by 1,500+ yard running back Javon Ringer and a big offensive line. PSU’s goal will be to make MSU one-dimensional by keying on Ringer. Spartan QB Brian Hoyer can make a play or two, but our defense will be content putting the game in his hands rather than the mileage-heavy Ringer. Hoyer, if you remember, is the same QB who lit us up last year in East Lansing, but his top two targets from ’07 are gone, and the MSU passing game has suffered. Thus, look for PSU to load the box with Hero back Mark Rubin or an extra linebacker to stop the run. We must tackle well and get to the ball because Ringer will make you pay if don’t. Yet, the Spartan offensive line has yet to face a defensive line like we have. Odrick, Maybin, Evans and company will play a huge role in this game…let’s just hope it benefits us.
When PSU is on defense: Our defense may have its hands full on Saturday if it can’t stop the run. Michigan State boasts one of the best ground games in the country, led by 1,500+ yard running back Javon Ringer and a big offensive line. PSU’s goal will be to make MSU one-dimensional by keying on Ringer. Spartan QB Brian Hoyer can make a play or two, but our defense will be content putting the game in his hands rather than the mileage-heavy Ringer. Hoyer, if you remember, is the same QB who lit us up last year in East Lansing, but his top two targets from ’07 are gone, and the MSU passing game has suffered. Thus, look for PSU to load the box with Hero back Mark Rubin or an extra linebacker to stop the run. We must tackle well and get to the ball because Ringer will make you pay if don’t. Yet, the Spartan offensive line has yet to face a defensive line like we have. Odrick, Maybin, Evans and company will play a huge role in this game…let’s just hope it benefits us.
When Penn State plays Michigan State: it’s also Blood Drive week! Does anyone know who wins that thing? Does anyone care?
Bottom line: This game is big. It’s for the Conference Title. It’s for the Roses. It’s for the seniors. It’s for the fans. It’s for Dear Old State. It’s for all the doubters and nay-sayers . It’s for a great 2008. It’s for Joe Paterno.
KNIT’S Pick…
MSU: 7
PSU: 31
Game Notes…
1. DE/DT Josh Gaines practiced this week and will play. His importance to the rotation and success of our d line is understated.
2. Get into the stadium early in order to salute the Seniors.
3. The last of the Lime Green Vest.
LET’S GO STATE!
PSU: 31
Game Notes…
1. DE/DT Josh Gaines practiced this week and will play. His importance to the rotation and success of our d line is understated.
2. Get into the stadium early in order to salute the Seniors.
3. The last of the Lime Green Vest.
LET’S GO STATE!
Thursday, November 13, 2008
PSU Preview: Indiana
Game 11
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***This week’s write-up will be a bit different. It will not only be an Indiana preview, but also a smallish rest-of-the-season preview…all sprinkled with comments regarding last Saturday’s heartbreaker. If you don’t want to read, I understand because it was hard to write.
After arguably the most painful loss in Penn State Football history, the 7/8th ranked Nittany Lions return to action on Saturday at home against a pitiful Indiana squad. All bullshit and roundabout-speak aside, this game should be a blowout, and the Hoosiers should become the whipping boys for PSU frustration. However, the last time something like that was supposed to happen was 1999, and things didn’t turn out as planned.
Let’s take a stroll down hellish memory lane, shall we? During that unforgettable ’99 season, PSU was 9-0 and climbed to #2 in the country. On a sunny Homecoming afternoon in early November, PSU faced a terrible Minnesota team and was a huge favorite. At the end of that unforgettable game, Minnesota kicker Dan Nystrom kicked a field goal with no time remaining. The Gophers shocked the Nittany Lions 24-23, and swiftly ended PSU’s title hopes in the quietest Beaver Stadium any of us have ever experienced. The next 2 games were supposed to be games that involved PSU flexing its frustrated muscles, but instead they lost focus, lost confidence, lost leadership, and lost both games. In the end, PSU dropped their final 3 contests and went to the Alamo Bowl.
Fast forward to this year, and to last Saturday. Similar situation, eerily similar game, and the exact same result…a 24-23 heart-breaking loss. So, it begs the question: In which direction will this team go? The same tailspin 1999 path? Or, will they regroup, refocus, and kick some ass like they should have in the days of Arrington and Brown, and like they should have last weekend in Iowa City?
Let’s see…
When PSU is on offense: We should kill Indiana’s horrible defense. The Hoosiers gave up 52 points and over 600 yards of offense to Wisconsin last weekend, so this one shouldn’t be tough at all. Additionally, Indiana has given up 40 or more points in 5 of their 10 games. But no matter how easy this game looks, our offensive success depends (and the rest of offensive season depends) on two things: Daryll Clark’s health and our playcalling/gameplan. In fact, the two are very closely related. There’s no denying that Clark isn’t 100% and/or the coaches don’t think he is. Therefore, they aren’t allowing him to take too many hits, which in turn effects EVERYTHING that we do in the spread. Clark’s two strengths are his leadership and his ability to make plays with his legs. If you take the latter away from him (because you don’t want him to get hit), then our offense becomes less dynamic and dangerous. This, clearly, affects our play-calling. Although I’d love to run Royster 50 times a game, you can’t do that for a variety of reasons. Although I’d love to run Derrick Williams “wildcat” plays all day, you can’t do that either. Our offense has been successful because of its ability to be a unpredictable, multi-faceted machine, and Clark is a huge variable in that. However, when you can’t utilize him to his fullest, and you run the same plays, then it doesn’t work as well. Exhibit A: PSU vs. Iowa on Saturday. In short, we need Clark for our offense to be effective, and we can’t afford predictable, bad play-calling. The only other alternative (and it’s a good one) is to play Devlin more.
When PSU is on defense: Our defense did not play well when it mattered last week in Iowa City. Our soft zone killed us at the end (again!), primarily because our D linemen were gassed, our pass rush disappeared, and our D backs didn’t react to things well/fast enough. Personally, I don’t think the cover 2 soft zone at that time puts you in a position to win, but that’s beside the point. In essence, we picked the wrong time and the wrong game for our defense to suck. Compound that with the fact that 2 of our starting linebackers just aren’t that good, 2 of our more-heady players were injured (Gaines and Astorino), and the fact that our defensive backs are becoming a liability, and what you have is a defense that can get battered at times. Although Indiana doesn’t light the world on fire on offense, we still need to execute. After all, we allowed a seemingly high school QB named Ricky Stanzi to drive 60+ yards in 3+ minutes to beat us last weekend. It really wasn’t anything he did, but everything we didn’t do. We need to be better on Saturday and for the rest of the season.
When, oh when: we will ever get ours?
Bottom line: I still haven’t recovered from the Iowa game, and I’m not sure I ever will. I never thought I would be upset over a very possible Rose Bowl berth, but somehow it seems like a cruel consolation to what could have been. I am, however, very positive that this team will do everything it can to make amends for what happened last weekend. I’m positive they will learn from their errors, I’m positive they will be more focused, and I’m positive that the leaders on this team will step up. I’m positive Penn State will kill Indiana, and start to smell the roses.
KNIT’S Pick…
Indiana: 3
PSU: 52
Game Notes…
1. Lime Green Vest Returns
LET’S GO STATE!
@ 
***This week’s write-up will be a bit different. It will not only be an Indiana preview, but also a smallish rest-of-the-season preview…all sprinkled with comments regarding last Saturday’s heartbreaker. If you don’t want to read, I understand because it was hard to write.
After arguably the most painful loss in Penn State Football history, the 7/8th ranked Nittany Lions return to action on Saturday at home against a pitiful Indiana squad. All bullshit and roundabout-speak aside, this game should be a blowout, and the Hoosiers should become the whipping boys for PSU frustration. However, the last time something like that was supposed to happen was 1999, and things didn’t turn out as planned.
Let’s take a stroll down hellish memory lane, shall we? During that unforgettable ’99 season, PSU was 9-0 and climbed to #2 in the country. On a sunny Homecoming afternoon in early November, PSU faced a terrible Minnesota team and was a huge favorite. At the end of that unforgettable game, Minnesota kicker Dan Nystrom kicked a field goal with no time remaining. The Gophers shocked the Nittany Lions 24-23, and swiftly ended PSU’s title hopes in the quietest Beaver Stadium any of us have ever experienced. The next 2 games were supposed to be games that involved PSU flexing its frustrated muscles, but instead they lost focus, lost confidence, lost leadership, and lost both games. In the end, PSU dropped their final 3 contests and went to the Alamo Bowl.
Fast forward to this year, and to last Saturday. Similar situation, eerily similar game, and the exact same result…a 24-23 heart-breaking loss. So, it begs the question: In which direction will this team go? The same tailspin 1999 path? Or, will they regroup, refocus, and kick some ass like they should have in the days of Arrington and Brown, and like they should have last weekend in Iowa City?
Let’s see…
When PSU is on offense: We should kill Indiana’s horrible defense. The Hoosiers gave up 52 points and over 600 yards of offense to Wisconsin last weekend, so this one shouldn’t be tough at all. Additionally, Indiana has given up 40 or more points in 5 of their 10 games. But no matter how easy this game looks, our offensive success depends (and the rest of offensive season depends) on two things: Daryll Clark’s health and our playcalling/gameplan. In fact, the two are very closely related. There’s no denying that Clark isn’t 100% and/or the coaches don’t think he is. Therefore, they aren’t allowing him to take too many hits, which in turn effects EVERYTHING that we do in the spread. Clark’s two strengths are his leadership and his ability to make plays with his legs. If you take the latter away from him (because you don’t want him to get hit), then our offense becomes less dynamic and dangerous. This, clearly, affects our play-calling. Although I’d love to run Royster 50 times a game, you can’t do that for a variety of reasons. Although I’d love to run Derrick Williams “wildcat” plays all day, you can’t do that either. Our offense has been successful because of its ability to be a unpredictable, multi-faceted machine, and Clark is a huge variable in that. However, when you can’t utilize him to his fullest, and you run the same plays, then it doesn’t work as well. Exhibit A: PSU vs. Iowa on Saturday. In short, we need Clark for our offense to be effective, and we can’t afford predictable, bad play-calling. The only other alternative (and it’s a good one) is to play Devlin more.
When PSU is on defense: Our defense did not play well when it mattered last week in Iowa City. Our soft zone killed us at the end (again!), primarily because our D linemen were gassed, our pass rush disappeared, and our D backs didn’t react to things well/fast enough. Personally, I don’t think the cover 2 soft zone at that time puts you in a position to win, but that’s beside the point. In essence, we picked the wrong time and the wrong game for our defense to suck. Compound that with the fact that 2 of our starting linebackers just aren’t that good, 2 of our more-heady players were injured (Gaines and Astorino), and the fact that our defensive backs are becoming a liability, and what you have is a defense that can get battered at times. Although Indiana doesn’t light the world on fire on offense, we still need to execute. After all, we allowed a seemingly high school QB named Ricky Stanzi to drive 60+ yards in 3+ minutes to beat us last weekend. It really wasn’t anything he did, but everything we didn’t do. We need to be better on Saturday and for the rest of the season.
When, oh when: we will ever get ours?
Bottom line: I still haven’t recovered from the Iowa game, and I’m not sure I ever will. I never thought I would be upset over a very possible Rose Bowl berth, but somehow it seems like a cruel consolation to what could have been. I am, however, very positive that this team will do everything it can to make amends for what happened last weekend. I’m positive they will learn from their errors, I’m positive they will be more focused, and I’m positive that the leaders on this team will step up. I’m positive Penn State will kill Indiana, and start to smell the roses.
KNIT’S Pick…
Indiana: 3
PSU: 52
Game Notes…
1. Lime Green Vest Returns
LET’S GO STATE!
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
PSU Preview: Iowa
Game 10
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Saturday, November 8, 2008. 3:30 p.m. Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa.
After a bye week, your #2.5 ranked Penn State Nittany Lions (9-0, 5-0) are back in action—this time against the underrated Iowa Hawkeyes (5-4, 2-2). Iowa is coming off a bad loss against Illinois, a game in which they should’ve won. In fact, this is a dangerous Iowa team; a team whose four losses were by a combined 12 points. In each of those games Iowa lost late, and should’ve won. PSU, meanwhile, got to take the week off, heal up, and get ready to go on the road. Oh, and if the Nits were short of motivation to win this week, the wonderful BCS, ignorant sports writers, and countless college football blowhards still don’t think PSU is a high-caliber team. What better way to prove them wrong then to make yet another statement in Iowa City. Nevertheless, you have to start to wonder: when will we not have to make a statement and finally get some respect?***
***If you wish to debate that issue, you know how to locate me. But, you better come armed with an ass-load of information.
Anyway, back to it…
When PSU is on offense: Iowa boasts a good defense, and they play very tough. They have allowed only 82 points in 9 games this season, and have done so with a hard-nosed style, led by defensive tackle Mitch King. The Hawkeyes have lost one of their starting safeties for the remainder of the year due to underage drinking, but it shouldn’t matter. What does matter is how aggressive (or not) our offensive will be on Saturday. If we go conservative, then we play right into the hands of the Iowa defense. If we run the full extent of the Spread HD, which is what we should do, then we’ll be tough to stop. Fact is, Iowa’s defense is good, but they don’t match up well against our weapons. But, your weapons can’t be utilized if you keep them locked up.
When PSU is on defense: Iowa runs a very basic offense, but it all hinges on talented RB Shonn Greene. Greene, who has amassed over 1,200 yards on the ground, could be one of the best running backs in the nation. Therefore, our gameplan should be the same as it was against Wisconsin and Ohio State…stop the run. It worked fine in those games, and should do well on Saturday. If you take Greene out of the game, or at limit his production, then Iowa is forced to rely on shaky quarterback Ricky Stanzi. Stanzi seems to only be able to throw 4 and 5 yard rollout passes consistently. Anything over that yardage and he becomes wildy erratic. So, stop Greene and all should be fine
When you’re PSU and you’re undefeated: will you, can you, ever catch a break and get some damn respect?
Bottom line: As much as I hate to admit it, we have to prove to a lot of people (read: a-hole AP writers who don’t even watch our games, but read the stat line and draw conclusions) just how dominate we are. Clearly, the first 9 games didn’t do it for these people. I know, there is a lot of ball to be played by everyone, but the reality is that no one outside of the Nittany Nation believes that we are good enough to make it to Miami, let alone stand a chance if we do. Therefore, we can’t afford to give anyone or any computer more reasons to doubt us. So, look for us to load up on the Iowa running game, and revert back to the offensive aggressiveness that we saw against Wisconsin and Illinois. We don’t need to do both to win, but both would spell a dominate victory. This team continues to have a chip on its shoulder, and it’s growing (thanks BCS!). Not to mention we’ve had an extra week to sharpen our attack. If you’re Iowa, you could be in for it.
KNITS Pick:
PSU: 38
Iowa: 7
Game Notes…
1. Daryll Clark has been limited in practice, but will play on Saturday. He is said to be fine.
2. Iowa is planning an overall black-out for Saturday’s game, with the students doing a “Greene-out” for Shonn Greene. Just when you thought a black-out couldn’t be any more ridiculous.
3. The Whites. And the ¾ length white sock.
Let's Go State!!!
@ 
Saturday, November 8, 2008. 3:30 p.m. Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa.
After a bye week, your #2.5 ranked Penn State Nittany Lions (9-0, 5-0) are back in action—this time against the underrated Iowa Hawkeyes (5-4, 2-2). Iowa is coming off a bad loss against Illinois, a game in which they should’ve won. In fact, this is a dangerous Iowa team; a team whose four losses were by a combined 12 points. In each of those games Iowa lost late, and should’ve won. PSU, meanwhile, got to take the week off, heal up, and get ready to go on the road. Oh, and if the Nits were short of motivation to win this week, the wonderful BCS, ignorant sports writers, and countless college football blowhards still don’t think PSU is a high-caliber team. What better way to prove them wrong then to make yet another statement in Iowa City. Nevertheless, you have to start to wonder: when will we not have to make a statement and finally get some respect?***
***If you wish to debate that issue, you know how to locate me. But, you better come armed with an ass-load of information.
Anyway, back to it…
When PSU is on offense: Iowa boasts a good defense, and they play very tough. They have allowed only 82 points in 9 games this season, and have done so with a hard-nosed style, led by defensive tackle Mitch King. The Hawkeyes have lost one of their starting safeties for the remainder of the year due to underage drinking, but it shouldn’t matter. What does matter is how aggressive (or not) our offensive will be on Saturday. If we go conservative, then we play right into the hands of the Iowa defense. If we run the full extent of the Spread HD, which is what we should do, then we’ll be tough to stop. Fact is, Iowa’s defense is good, but they don’t match up well against our weapons. But, your weapons can’t be utilized if you keep them locked up.
When PSU is on defense: Iowa runs a very basic offense, but it all hinges on talented RB Shonn Greene. Greene, who has amassed over 1,200 yards on the ground, could be one of the best running backs in the nation. Therefore, our gameplan should be the same as it was against Wisconsin and Ohio State…stop the run. It worked fine in those games, and should do well on Saturday. If you take Greene out of the game, or at limit his production, then Iowa is forced to rely on shaky quarterback Ricky Stanzi. Stanzi seems to only be able to throw 4 and 5 yard rollout passes consistently. Anything over that yardage and he becomes wildy erratic. So, stop Greene and all should be fine
When you’re PSU and you’re undefeated: will you, can you, ever catch a break and get some damn respect?
Bottom line: As much as I hate to admit it, we have to prove to a lot of people (read: a-hole AP writers who don’t even watch our games, but read the stat line and draw conclusions) just how dominate we are. Clearly, the first 9 games didn’t do it for these people. I know, there is a lot of ball to be played by everyone, but the reality is that no one outside of the Nittany Nation believes that we are good enough to make it to Miami, let alone stand a chance if we do. Therefore, we can’t afford to give anyone or any computer more reasons to doubt us. So, look for us to load up on the Iowa running game, and revert back to the offensive aggressiveness that we saw against Wisconsin and Illinois. We don’t need to do both to win, but both would spell a dominate victory. This team continues to have a chip on its shoulder, and it’s growing (thanks BCS!). Not to mention we’ve had an extra week to sharpen our attack. If you’re Iowa, you could be in for it.
KNITS Pick:
PSU: 38
Iowa: 7
Game Notes…
1. Daryll Clark has been limited in practice, but will play on Saturday. He is said to be fine.
2. Iowa is planning an overall black-out for Saturday’s game, with the students doing a “Greene-out” for Shonn Greene. Just when you thought a black-out couldn’t be any more ridiculous.
3. The Whites. And the ¾ length white sock.
Let's Go State!!!
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