The Lions' Pride

From the Cleveland Plain Dealer. I particularly like his comments about the Virginia game...

for me this is the hardest game to predict. Could go either way.

PSU 31-20
mvp: Carter, 2 tds and 8 catches for 123 yards
ISL: first score for OSU is in the third quater.
OWP:#5 breaks one 50+ for a TD.

It may be the fastest and smartest D you have faced in the front 7....well off there IMO. Only way OSU sniffs 45 if PSU turns in a NEB type performance and turns the ball over 4 times. OSU is capable of winning for sure, but it won't be a blowout unless one teams coughs it up quite a bit. You couldn't blow out IU or Purdue...so I don't see you doing it in HV.

Hamilton, they forget we beat them at their place last year with the100th ranked offense in the country. This year's offense is light years ahead of last year's in terms of playcalling and execution (and probably faster across the board) while their defense is by ALL accounts their worst in years. Barring an injury to McGloin, I don't see them holding us to <28 points.

i'm not trying to argue or piss anyone off just ask a question...

what makes you think your defensive front 7 is the best in the b1g? Michigan States defensive front is outstanding..

this will be the first time that Penn State plays a really good offense...
In Penn State's 5 wins... these are the offense's that you're saying your defense looks good based off of playing..

vs. Navy - ranked 101st out of 120 in average YPG, 100th of 120 in PPG
vs. Temple - Last (120 of 120) in YPG, 88 of 120 in PPG
@ Illinois - 115 of 120 in YPG, 114 of 120 in PPG
vs. Northwestern - 67 of 120 in YPG, 53 of 120 in PPG
@ Iowa - 107 of 120 in YPG, 103 of 120 in PPG

Ohio State ranks...
40th of 120 in YPG, 21st of 120 in PPG.
i think you need to wait until after this game to determine if your defense is as good as everyone thinks..

i think it will be a good game... good luck to y'all

Let's dial it back. I responded to one of your fans for making an idiotic prediction based on his thinking that this is the slowest PSU team he has seen. What numbnut doesn't realize, we have a defense, you don't. This game is in Happy Valley, not Columbus and this PSU offense is alot better than last year's, while your defense blows. I'm fully aware of your offense. Sure, we haven't faced an offense like we will this weekend and it will be a big challenge, but at the same time, you haven't faced a more balanced team offensive and defensive this year than PSU. MSU's offense sucks; Nebraska's defense is isnt good.

We held a pretty decent Northwestern offense to basically 250 yards. Part of the reason for that ranking of their's is the number our defense did on it.

Our front seven is certainly on par with Michigan State's. We have two significant players in the front four and have the BEST linebackers in the league. That, the LB comment isn't up for debate.

Don't like the comments, I don't care.

The question - do you agree with that worthless opinion by your fellow poster - 45-17 OSU and if so, why. Give me something more than this is the slowest PSU team he has ever seen, or because we have Urban Meyer, or even better, because Nevadafraud says "our defense is a great matchup to bottle up that PSU offense."

Its the black shoes they look slower on film. And you cant be serious.

Best of luck Saturday. I predict a tough hard fought PSU victory. You guys need it more than we do though with the sanctions taking its toll for next 5-10 years.

I exclude OSU because we all know that is the best offense either team will face. My stats are from CFBstats.com

Ok lets look at MSU opponents:

BSU - ranked 86th in average YPG, 75th in PPG
Central Michigan - ranked 81st in average YPG, 80th in PPG
Notre Dame - ranked 73rd in average YPG, 77th in PPG
Eastern Michigan - ranked 91st in average YPG, 86th in PPG
Iowa ranked - 101st in average YPG, 103 in PPG
Michigan -ranked 62nd in average YPG, 53rd in PPG
Indiana - ranked 25th in average YPG, 34th in PPG (just for comparison PSU allowed less points against Ohio which is ranked 36th than Indiana in PPG and 36th in average YPG about a 15 yard difference)

Just a note Ohio U was our worst game of the season and we didn't get out of a base 4-3 defense the ENTIRE game....that was against a spread offense. The defense also was adjusting to a new system that game.

I would say that their opponents so far have been pretty comparable. Second, lets look at other metrics.

MSU has six sacks all SEASON...that is less that one per game and tied for 118 in the NATION. Penn state is number 31. How can you defend a front seven that cannot get to the QB?

Lets look at other metics: (no cherry picking)
Penn state is sixth in Red-zone defense; Michigan state is 118
Michigan State is 33 in TFL; Penn State is 88th
Michigan State has allowed 25 runs of over 10 yards (23rd); penn state has allowed 24 runs of over 10 yards (16th)
Michigan state has forced 11 turnovers (75th in the country); penn state has 15 (31st in the country)
Michigan State is 13th in the country on 3rd down (~29 percent); penn state is 67th (37 percent)...and climbing.
Michigan State is 23rd in the nation in average yards per rush (3.37); penn state is 26th (3.4)
Michigan State is 7th in the nation in average yards per attempt (5.3); penn state is 20th with (6.0)

Look, like I have said Michigan State has a very good fundmental front seven. However, they don't get after the QB. White and Gholston have been underachieving all season. They don't force turnovers and they are bad in the redzone. Also MSU can rely on a much better secondary than PSU does to negate their lack of a pass rush.

PSU has had trouble on 3rd down, but most of that was in game one and two (getting use to the system and coaches getting the right players in there). PSU is much better in the redzone, we get after the QB and our linebackers have been making big plays game in game out.

In the end, with the exception of the extra game MSU played (8 games to 7 games), PSU and MSU have had very similar statistical opponents. Lets not make ND + Michigan offensive juggernauts...they are defensive teams first and foremost. PSU is better in the categories I prefer. Also my eye test, I have watched all the PSU games and 4 MSU games. I don't see anything dynamic about that defense. I see a solid well coached defensive that doesn't make big plays. In PSU, I see a solid sound defensive team that makes plays. PSU does just about as well as MSU in most categories and much better in others.

Thanks for posting, I hope that helps you understand at least my prospective better

PSU wins 34-17
MVP: One of the LBers
Interesting Stat: Halftime score PSU-17 OSU-0
Off the Wall Prediction: Penn State goes +4 on turnovers.

First time I'm doing this, have read the predictions every week and have enjoyed them!!!!

Score: 31-24 PSU
MVP: Mauti (I feel he'll be playing hard because it's his first game against OSU in his career and his only chance!!!)
Interesting Stat: PSU's Tight Ends end up with 15-18 catches and 3 TD's
Off the wall Prediction: (would love to see this again) Mauti intercepts one in the end zone and runs it back for 100 yards, not 99 and a half this time!!!!