The Penn State Football Show

Wow. The Groton School may produce a bunch of dorks, but they certainly educate their students. Rudy nearly echoes my exact thoughts on this game. I too, think the key to the game for Penn State is going to be establishing a running game for Evan Royster. I also agree with Rudy that Penn State can use Royster in a similar way that Oregon State used Jaquizz Rodgers when he exploded for 186 yards against USC. If Royster can sneak through some holes and gain four or five yards per carry, it will open up the passing game for Clark. If Penn State is not able to run the ball effectively, the defense will be able to sit back and defend the pass, and it could be a LONG day for Clark and the boys.

I am very concerned about Penn State’s passing game in this one. Clark was tremendous all year, except for two games he played against the two top defenses the Lions saw: Ohio State and Iowa. He struggled in both of this games and I fear he may struggle again throwing the ball in this one.

If Penn State is going to have success throwing the ball, I think it is going to have to be Jordan Norwood on the receiving end. He is the only wide receiver on the team that I am confident can gain separation from his defender. He is so quick and shifty and always finds a way to get open. The same can not be said for Williams and Butler. Clark has been a great quarterback this year, but the one thing he hasn’t shown me is pinpoint accuracy passing the ball. When he has guys running all over the field wide open (Oregon State, Michigan State) Clark can find the open guy and get him the ball. It’s not always in stride, but it gets the job done. Against USC, he is not going to have this luxury, and will really need to stick the ball in there with some heat on it, and hit the receivers in stride. I hope he can do this, but I have not seen this from him consistently yet. That is the main reason I am worried about the passing game.

I am sure Joe Pa has cooked up a few trick plays for this game. I wouldn’t mind seeing a fake punt or field goal. I have heard that with Devlin gone, Williams will be running a lot of Wildcat plays at quarterback instead of just running with Clark so that he doesn’t get hurt. I am sure they have a few plays in there where D Will will throw the ball, but USC should be ready for this, since they recruited him and know he was a high school QB. I hope Penn State does not enter the game with one of those mind-sets where they try to force the ball to D-Will as often as possible. I don’t think that will succeed. He does not out-class the athletes on USC by any stretch of the imagination. Unlike Hottel, I don’t see him breaking a long return in this one either.

I have a feeling that there will be some unsung hero to step up for PSU with a huge play that most would not expect. Somebody like Andrew Quarless, Tony Davis, AJ Wallace, maybe Brandon Beachum on special teams. I think Quarless is a good pick, because he certainly has the talent to match up with USC. Also, since he hasn’t done much this year, they won’t have much film of him and he has kind of flown under the radar. The staff should try and catch USC off-guard by getting Quarless involved in the passing game. Also, he is an NFL-caliber player, but he now has only one year left and has done nothing in his career at Penn State. If he wants to play at the next level, he has to get serious about it soon, and what better time and place to start than this bowl game?

Tony Davis has had a great career with PSU and gets overlooked. He had a big fumble return for a TD two years ago against Tennessee, and he has been making huge defensive plays all week for me in NCAA 09 when I play against USC.

I had a dream that Beachum scored a TD on the first offensive play of the game, that’s why I picked him.

AJ Wallace is another guy with a ton of talent that he has not yet lived up to. He has one year next year to prove his worth. People often use bowl games to springboard their next season. Maybe Wallace can do that.

As I have said before I expect a very low scoring game in this one. I am sure both teams will come to play. These are two of the best coaches at preparing their teams for Bowl games. Unfortunately, Pete Carrol is perhaps the best big-game coach in the country. The only big game his team has lost in the last five years is the National Championship against Texas a few years back, when Vince Young single-handedly took over the game and won it in the waning seconds. Other than that, he has been flawless in big games (both regular season and bowl games). This scares me and should scare you as well.

With that being said, Penn State does feel like they have been ignored and disrespected, and I believe that the players are all very confident they can win. I really appreciate and respect the silent confidence this team has displayed all year long, not complaining about a lack of respect like some other teams do, but keeping quiet, going about their business, and taking care of their games. I truly believe they expect to win this game.

Penn State matches up favorably on the offensive line. PSU’s o-line may be the best in the country, and if they open up holes and protect Clark, they may actually be able to score points on this incredible defense. I have a feeling that the game-plan will be similar to the game against Ohio State, where they are very conservative and play the game very close to the vest, hoping USC will make the mistake that will cost them the game. I’m not sure if this is the best approach or not in this one. It worked against the Buckeyes, but USC could strike for a big pass or two that could put the game out of reach if PSU is playing not to lose. Scirotto will have to take some chances and go for a pick or two and risk giving up the big play.

I also expect Maurice Evans to have a big game. He has been a disappointment all year, but he can redeem himself with a big game in Pasadena. He is another guy that has as much talent as anyone on USC. If they put their attention on Maybin, Evans better take advantage and make them pay for it.

I can not wait for this game. Lee Corso said that if you can watch just one bowl game, including the national championship, this is the one to watch. Both teams will come to play, and I expect a close, low scoring game. I would not be surprised if either team won.

The keys for Penn Stat are to control the line of scrimmage (which I am confident they can do). Establish a running game, protect Darryl Clark, and limit the big play. Pretty much exactly what Rudy said. If Royster can go for 100 yards, that would go a long way. Clark will need to take off and run as well.

Key thing to watch: USC is one of the most penalized teams in the country, PSU is one of the least.

Remember: someone unexpected will come up with a signature play in this game.

Final thoughts: Penn State will not be intimidated, will not be scared, will not be nervous. They will come to play. They will have to play their absolute best game in order to win this one. Let’s see what happens, and LETS GO STATE.