A bonus to beating PSU at their home.....

[IUHDog]

...is knowing Tommy Stevens would get to watch IU march into State College and beat his beloved Nittany Lions.

That would be "extra" sweet.

I hope IU can get just as fired up for next week's game as they were yesterday. That was fun to watch.

 

[IUHarselCo]

We're going to have to expect some kind of dip in emotion after a game against #1. IU struggles with consistency perhaps more than in any other area. And PSU? They are looking good. Watch out for let down...has to be some. Up to coaches to get them over it...as best they can imo.

 

[IUHDog]

We're going to have to expect some kind of dip in emotion after a game against #1. IU struggles with consistency perhaps more than in any other area. And PSU? They are looking good. Watch out for let down...has to be some. Up to coaches to get them over it...as best they can imo.

PSU looking good? They beat 1-4 Army 20-14...and Wake Forest beat Army at Army. PSU is looking anything but good, but they are somehow still escaping with wins.

 

[turney333]

We're going to have to expect some kind of dip in emotion after a game against #1. IU struggles with consistency perhaps more than in any other area. And PSU? They are looking good. Watch out for let down...has to be some. Up to coaches to get them over it...as best they can imo.

PSU looking good? They don't look like an absolute trainwreck like last year, but they are far from looking good. They only had 250 yards and struggled to get to 20 points against Army yesterday.

Not saying that its a guaranteed win for IU, but don't make them into something they are not.

 

[IUHarselCo]

Oh man was I rooting for Army yesterday. Got to see some of that game. Army had their best game, up for them. I kept thinking we might have a shot but they are very talented despite where they are right now. We seem to play PSU well most times, but they will be ready for us. They have more talent and are a bit like us, disjointed trying to put it together. I think they will and if we do too it will be a good game. But NS & JH absense mixed with a let down could spell trouble. Until a trend forms I'll rely on history, which is not favorable for a win. But of course that's why we play the game! Here's hoping! One other point...without better receiver play our chances are even less imo.

 

[Breeze90]

A lot of PSU fans are feeling IU will pull out the W next week even with Sudfield and Howard out. The PSU offense is just that pathetic. The key is whether Barkely will be back. Most believe is he one of the best freshman backs in the country and he has changed the game against Rutgers and first half of SDSU (before he got injured). The OL still remains an utter mess (the only good OL Nelson is hurt and will miss another 3-4 weeks and the serviceable C was injured yesterday as well). Hackenberg has not played well this year for a magnitude of reasons that starts off the the putrid OL play.

The funny thing is the defense is one of the better defenses in the country (15th in total defense after this week). However, if IU can just put up 21 points, they'll win. We'll see what happens to Sudfield and Howard, but like I said, I wouldn't be sweating if they're not in there. I know the IU defense is not that good but it I wouldn't be surprised if it can shut down a terrible PSU offense to a mere 14 points or so.

 

[TeeJay88]

The ironic thing is that if Nate can't go, Tommy probably would have been the starter for us.

 

[IUHarselCo]

That's a good analysis Breeze90. There are so many variables going in to this game. Even if our walking wounded return, they can't be 100%. IU has a poor record when it comes to following a good game with another. Cobb and Graham took huge steps backwards, but are young and could recover confidence. I think we match up well in the trenches on both sides of the ball. I can see our D holding their O to 21; but unless we're hitting on all cylinders getting 22+ could be tough against their D. Not impossible, just tough.

 

[d_c_arpasi]

We're going to have to expect some kind of dip in emotion after a game against #1. IU struggles with consistency perhaps more than in any other area. And PSU? They are looking good. Watch out for let down...has to be some. Up to coaches to get them over it...as best they can imo.

Actually, I thought the D played with a lot of confidence and I see them playing that way from here on. A new attitude knowing that if they play hard, they can compete with the best. Huge confidence boost for the D.

 

[TeeJay88]

Actually, I thought the D played with a lot of confidence and I see them playing that way from here on. A new attitude knowing that if they play hard, they can compete with the best. Huge confidence boost for the D.

They played well due to increased aggression. We blitzed more and with a more athletic group, it made an impact. The main thing is to notbe singly dimensional but mix defenses and attempt to keep the opposition guessing. Hackenburg is more experienced and far more accurate than Jones so our approach shouldn't be the same.

The final piece is we can't let their running game duplicate what Elliott did last Saturday.

All of that said, I like our chances. I have predicted 8-9 wins this year and this is one we can win.

 

[turney333]

They played well due to increased aggression. We blitzed more and with a more athletic group, it made an impact. The main thing is to notbe singly dimensional but mix defenses and attempt to keep the opposition guessing. Hackenburg is more experienced and far more accurate than Jones so our approach shouldn't be the same.

The final piece is we can't let their running game duplicate what Elliott did last Saturday.

All of that said, I like our chances. I have predicted 8-9 wins this year and this is one we can win.

Biggest difference is that PSUs oline is terrible, so we should be able to get pressure on Hack. Plus, with anyone other than Elliott, those TD runs may have only gained 20-30 yards

 

[Nihilist Rodgers]

you guys have a chance.. but our DL might have more pure pass rushers than tOSU.. we supposedly get Barkley (star frosh TB back) and we rested 3 other probable guys against Army. Sudfield is really nice.. Diamont is not really a BIG level QB, in fact I think he'll make at least 3 crucial mistakes.-sg

 

[NittanyLogan'11]

That's a good analysis Breeze90. There are so many variables going in to this game. Even if our walking wounded return, they can't be 100%. IU has a poor record when it comes to following a good game with another. Cobb and Graham took huge steps backwards, but are young and could recover confidence. I think we match up well in the trenches on both sides of the ball. I can see our D holding their O to 21; but unless we're hitting on all cylinders getting 22+ could be tough against their D. Not impossible, just tough.

There are a lot of injuries on both sides for this game. Obviously Sudfeld and Howard for IU, but also Barkley (RB), Brandon Bell (OLB), and Marcus Allen (S) for PSU.

This game is just so hard to predict

 

[Sope Creek]

There are a lot of injuries on both sides for this game. Obviously Sudfeld and Howard for IU, but also Barkley (RB), Brandon Bell (OLB), and Marcus Allen (S) for PSU.

This game is just so hard to predict

Agreed . . . that's why football hasn't been scuttled in favor of algorithms and video games. Well, that plus tailgating is fun.

 

[IUHarselCo]

There are a lot of injuries on both sides for this game. Obviously Sudfeld and Howard for IU, but also Barkley (RB), Brandon Bell (OLB), and Marcus Allen (S) for PSU.

This game is just so hard to predict

You know, its probably going to be a typical IU/PSU game...vbg. Tough nosed and fun to watch. Injuries happen but depth goes to you guys. We're getting there, slow but sure. You will be up for us. We can't expect to be overlooked again. Should be a slobber knocker! I just wish your best and ours were all in so there would no asterisks for whoever wins. Here's rooting for a great game.

 

[NittanyLogan'11]

You know, its probably going to be a typical IU/PSU game...vbg. Tough nosed and fun to watch. Injuries happen but depth goes to you guys. We're getting there, slow but sure. You will be up for us. We can't expect to be overlooked again. Should be a slobber knocker! I just wish your best and ours were all in so there would no asterisks for whoever wins. Here's rooting for a great game.

It's interesting talking to fans from other schools when depth comes up. The national perspective is that the sanctions have been lifted so PSU is basically back to normal now, but that's not quite the case.

In terms of depth, PSU barely has a 2 deep on the offensive line, and trust me when I say "barely". Penn State lost OT Andrew Nelson a few weeks back. He was considered one of our better players along the line. Last week C Angelo Mangiro went down (his status is TBD), so potentially 2 starters down from an already thin unit.

Penn State is also thin at Linebacker. After the starting MLB Nyeem Wartman-White was lost for the season, a huge shuffle took place. SO Jason Cabinda has shifted inside and done well, but when happened was that RS-FR Troy Reeder was forced into a starting roll. To his credit, he's played very well, but is still learning. On the other side is oft-injured Brandon Bell who is an outstanding LB when he's on the field. Behind them? Former walk-on Von Walker, and 2 true freshmen (Jake Cooper and Manny Bowen).

JR running back Akeel Lynch left the SDST game with an apparent knee injury and did not play last week. I would not expect him to play on Saturday. Additionally, FR sensation Saquon Barkley injured an ankle against SDST and also did not play against Army (although many suspect that it was precautionary). Either way, the remaining running backs are RS-FR Mark Allen, RS-FR Nick Scott (who you will see on special teams), and RS-FR Johnathan Thomas.

Penn State has played 19 freshmen and redshirt-freshmen this season which is an astonishing number. Starters include 9 Sophomores and 4 freshmen. So while there is depth for PSU, there is literally almost no experience. True depth won't be back for a couple more seasons.

 

[OldTiredLion]

IU and PSU are a good match-up. You guys have an O-line we'd trade you for without hesitation and even throw in a couple of draft picks. If you had our defense you'd be in the running for the B1G title. Our punting has been terrible with the exception of one game, Rutgers. If Nate S. is healthy and plays well I DON'T like our chances, especially if Barkley can't go. Hopefully the weather will cooperate this week since we've played in driving rainstorms for 3 out of 4 home games this season. This is homecoming and we should have a decent crowd but the noon kickoff usually causes our student section to be either late or absent. In any event I'm looking forward to the game. Got some friends from Indiana (Pendleton area) coming to town for their 1st game at Beaver Stadium. For the Hoosier fans traveling to Happy Valley, drive safely and hope you have a good time. If you stop by any tailgate I'm sure you'll be invited to share a beer and a burger with most of our fans. Here's hoping neither team suffers any more injuries.

 

[IUHDog]

How refreshing to read some civil exchanges of good information between decent fans (as opposed to last week).

 

[TeeJay88]

How refreshing to read some civil exchanges of good information between decent fans (as opposed to last week).

It IS refreshing to see football discussed in an intelligent way. PSU may be becoming my second favorite B1G team.

 

[IUHarselCo]

Since Randal El...they have been mine. Does anyone remember why?

 

[Oxford Collapse]

We're going to have to expect some kind of dip in emotion after a game against #1. IU struggles with consistency perhaps more than in any other area. And PSU? They are looking good. Watch out for let down...has to be some. Up to coaches to get them over it...as best they can imo.

Penn State's offense is terrible. They're good at breaking a huge running play every now and then, and that's about it.

Their defense is pretty strong, but it's not as good as the one IU played this past week. That doesn't mean we'll put up 40, but if IU's healthy this weekend, we've got a good chance of making this a legit ballgame.

 

[Oxford Collapse]

IU and PSU are a good match-up. You guys have an O-line we'd trade you for without hesitation and even throw in a couple of draft picks. If you had our defense you'd be in the running for the B1G title. Our punting has been terrible with the exception of one game, Rutgers. If Nate S. is healthy and plays well I DON'T like our chances, especially if Barkley can't go. Hopefully the weather will cooperate this week since we've played in driving rainstorms for 3 out of 4 home games this season. This is homecoming and we should have a decent crowd but the noon kickoff usually causes our student section to be either late or absent. In any event I'm looking forward to the game. Got some friends from Indiana (Pendleton area) coming to town for their 1st game at Beaver Stadium. For the Hoosier fans traveling to Happy Valley, drive safely and hope you have a good time. If you stop by any tailgate I'm sure you'll be invited to share a beer and a burger with most of our fans. Here's hoping neither team suffers any more injuries.

Thanks for dropping by.