The Penn State Football Show

You cant take much from the Youngstown State game other than it was good to see the blue and white back on the field again. However, there are a few things I’m burning on from week 1…

• Devon Smith as the slot receiver? I know the dude can fly but he is a small target and he weights as much as my golf bag. Let’s use our height advantage at WR.
• Gerald Hodges needs to be on the field more. When in the game, #6 was all over the ball.
• Only one touch for Curtis Dukes?
• Robert Bolden is legit! Yes, it was only one game and, yes, it was Youngstown State. But you gotta give it to the kid…he doesn’t play like an 18-year-old rook. He has poise in the pocket, throws a strong ball with some touch when needed (8-9 on 3rd down), and it looks like he sees the field well (checked off and hit Brackett for a TD pass?). I’m not anointing him with a golden crown just yet, but you have to admit, it’s exciting to finally see a QB who might eventually bring some hardware to State College.

As for the elephant in the room…I think this game will be better than many people are expecting and critics/analysts are anticipating. As the weekend approaches, I am optimistic but skeptical. Here are my keys to the game for PSU to have a chance heading into the 4th quarter…

• Win the giveaway/takeaway battle. A PSU INT that could shorten the field for the offense and set up a TD could be big, especially in the 2nd half. On the contrary, the offense, and Bolden, MUST protect the ball.
• The running game must eclipse 100-yds collectively. WE NEED TO USE OUR WEAPONS. Newsome in the backfield? End-around to Devon Smith? Bolden with some QB-reads? Curtis Dukes slamming it down the middle? If we can’t run, we put too much pressure on a young QB to make plays. This might be the toughest task for the offense but you know the coaches have a few tricks in the bag for this one. Remember, Alabama lost something like 8 starters on defense and will be without its top D-Lineman. I don’t know why that hasn’t been discussed more extensively.
• Limit big plays. There is a part of me that thinks McElroy and Julio Jones could have a field day with the zone coverage much like Mark Sanchez did in the 2009 Rose Bowl. If we shut down this connection, the game will be manageable. Will D’Anton Lynn shadow Jones? Will we use the nickle more?

Cant wait to get some answers to these questions. I'll leave with this...the biggest improvements a team will make are between week 1 and week 2. Lets hope this holds true Saturday night.