This game sets up similarly to the State Penn/Temple game last year. Only thing is we were better than Temps was last year, we are better on paper this season than we were last season and State Penn will not be as good as they were last year.
That game was very similar to our heart breaker against tOSU, including fourth quarter turnovers, however the final score indicated State Penn's difficulty moving the football down the field, ending in a 14-10 final. If you didn't watch that game, you missed a great profile for this match up. Once both teams hit the red zone they struggled mightily, and I don't see anything in this PSU team that would make me believe that they won't struggle against our D, which will be improved from last season.
Granted, Bill O'B is looking to institute a new scheme, but Matt McGloin struggles throwing the forward pass, is not good if he has to move from the pocket and is not a threat to run. He IS a gamer. But let's face it, he's a walk on, not a highly regarded recruit. Sure we are down two players in our secondary, but McGloin isn't as talented as Zac Dysert, and he doesn't have Nick Harwell, Jerrel Jernigan or Mohamed Sanu to throw to. So if we can afford to be thin in a position it would be in the secondary.
They are missing Silas Redd from the 46th rush offense and Justin Brown (their best returning receiver) from the 96th passing team, and were only 110th in points for. Granted, they were 5th in points against, but they are instituting a new defensive scheme this year. And oh by the way, they lost their leading scorer in Anthony Fera at place kicker.
I stated this before on another thread, but if we can hold their O to 14, this game should be in control, save for any early game jitters leading to an unplanned gift. I expect to see us attempt to play ball control and to try to jam the ball down their throats, with the pass plays being short, possession type plays. I'm looking for a full court press that exceeds last seasons improvements, and against a talented but big PSU D line and LB corps, but I believe if we play possession, we can wear them out come 3rd and 4th quarters.
I think we are immensely more talented on O than Temps was last year, even when they had a healthy Bernard Pierce, and we can actually throw the forward pass, so we should be able to easily exceed Temps offensive output versus PSU.
State Penn is coming into this thing carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders, and with a grudge...for the NCAA, not OHIO. They are bearing all the pressure...not OHIO, although I am sure there will be some jitters with our men leading into opening kick. I think OHIO learned a lot in Boise, and USU had a huge D line and NFL talent on both sides of the ball. I don't think most here gave USU as much credit as they deserved for being a tough test in the FIPB.
What I expect to see on Saturday from OHIO is a near carbon copy of Troy's game plan against OHIO in the NOB. And we saw what their O did to our D.
I almost hate to say it, but I expect a victory on Saturday. (fingers crossed)
Edit: I want to go on the record to say I didn't read the CFN preview prior to writing my post above, although they sound eerily similar, and I'll go OHIO 23, State Penn 13, and both teams with missed extra points.
Last Edited: 8/29/2012 5:00:56 PM by D.A.