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What are your thoughts heading into the Houston game?

  • Just wanted to stop by and see what you all were thinking about the matchup with Houston. Despite the scandal, I was pretty surprised to see Houston favored.

    They haven't stopped anyone all year, and while Penn State isn't exactly the Green Bay Packers on offense, they'll still be more physical and talented than anyone that Houston has faced this season. On the other side, Penn State will have by far the best defense the Cougars have gone up against. Given the scandal, I know it's a bit of a wildcard how the Nittany Lions will play, because you never know when it comes to college kids. But they've always been a high-character team, and I'm honestly expecting them to come out and play well. I'd be surprised to see anything but a Penn State victory by at least two scores. What are you guys thinking at this point?

    Recruiting Analyst for Voice of the Hawkeyes. Email: tworly@yahoo.com; Twitter: @ToddWorly247

    Todd Worly

  • Penn State 31
    Houston 17

    Penn State racks up 250 yards rushing and attempts 8 passes.
    Wildcat is run over 30% of our plays.
    Time of Possession Penn State 43:00 Houston 17:00
    PSU also scores one TD on special teams.

    After the game the players are intoduced to their new head coach via videoconference....Welcome Coach ????.

    This post was edited by paupacklion on 12/27/2011 at 11:13 AM

    ...and if you're not down with that, then I got 2 words for ya.."suck it!!"

    paupacklion

  • Hello and Welcome.
    I can't say I have watched Houston play much but the season stats for the offense are impressive. Our defense is good, however the zone we play seems to be vulnerable to an accurate passer. I am concerned your QB will capitalize on our weakness.

    If PSU is to win I think it will come down to PSU ball control via running and not turning the ball over. The more PSU can keep Houston's O off the field the better our chances are to win. I think we have the horses in the backfield to get it done, but 3rd and long with our QB's can be a nail biter.

    danmcc ●

  • Pretty much agree with your thoughts/analysis.

    I think if PSU can play ball control/clock management and pound the ball at Houston's porous run defense, we should be able to run away with this game. The key, IMO, is keeping Houston's offense off the field and our D well rested against their passing attack. We have a solid group of RB's that have a multitude of skill sets from bashers to thrashers so Houston has to be well prepared for a heavy dose of both otherwise it's game over.

    Our D vs. their O is a particularly interesting match-up to me. I'm really interested in seeing what schemes we use to try and at least slow down Keenum and company. I know we will be able to get some pressure on him and hopefully that forces him to make some bad decisions and we can capitalize on his mistakes.

    I'm not really too surprised at the line. I think a lot of it has to do with everything that transpired for us this year and the teams mindset. Also, laying a complete egg vs. Wisconsin in our regular season finale didn't help matters. It should be a good game regardless and I'm hopeful PSU plays one of their best games of the year on both sides of the ball and this game is never in doubt.

    signature image

    PSUjosh11 ●

  • danmcc said...

    Hello and Welcome. I can't say I have watched Houston play much but the season stats for the offense are impressive. Our defense is good, however the zone we play seems to be vulnerable to an accurate passer. I am concerned your QB will capitalize on our weakness.

    If PSU is to win I think it will come down to PSU ball control via running and not turning the ball over. The more PSU can keep Houston's O off the field the better our chances are to win. I think we have the horses in the backfield to get it done, but 3rd and long with our QB's can be a nail biter.

    Thanks for the feedback. To clarify, I'm not a Houston fan or anything (I cover the Iowa site for 247Sports). Was just pretty surprised to see the line of this game, and wanted to see what you all thought.

    Recruiting Analyst for Voice of the Hawkeyes. Email: tworly@yahoo.com; Twitter: @ToddWorly247

    Todd Worly

  • This one is hard for me to say. There are a number of reasons I believe we'll win the game (which have been covered here for the most part), but there are also a number of reasons I'm wary of Houston as an opponent. First and foremost is our defense's issues against the short passing game. Look at the USC bowl game a few years back - Sanchez (who I don't believe is a good QB at all) absolutely carved us up with 5-10 yard outs consistently, then went deep when we cheated up to guard those.

    Keenum is a capable passer and if they run 3-step drops and get the ball out of his hands quickly (which I think they tend to do anyway), then we could be in trouble.

    The flip side to that is USC was able to run the ball. If Houston simply turns one dimensional, we will probably have a better chance.

    The thing is...I don't see this game being close either way. If Houston can destroy us with the pass, I don't think we'll be able to keep up. If we out-physical them on both sides of the ball, they won't keep up. It will be a blowout one way...but which way is the question for me.

    signature image

    psubills62

  • I really don't know.

    I just want this season to be over and a new coach to be named.

    bonovoxpsu

  • Welcome over here Todd! I always appreciate then the other 247 staff members visit other sites.

    I expect PSU to run, run and run some more. We should see a lot of Redd and Green, and I think that Belton will get 10-15 snaps out of the wildcat. Hopefully, we can use playaction to make out passing attack somewhat relavent. It looks like Bolden will be starting, so we have to make sure we give him the protection he needs (he is horrible under pressure). I think you will see a lot of 2 TE sets with max protect (at least I hope that is the case).

    I have seen a couple of games with Houston this year,and I think they play most like Northwestern (when Persa is in) with what they want to do. Kevin Sumlin is a great offensive mind, so it will be interesting to see how the Cougars play without him. PSU's front 7 will easily be the best that Houston has faced this season... I hope that we will be about to create pressure with them. If we can do that, I think we will fare very well against Houston.

    It should be a fun game to watch.

    getmyjive11 ●

  • getmyjive11 said...

    Welcome over here Todd! I always appreciate then the other 247 staff members visit other sites.

    I expect PSU to run, run and run some more. We should see a lot of Redd and Green, and I think that Belton will get 10-15 snaps out of the wildcat. Hopefully, we can use playaction to make out passing attack somewhat relavent. It looks like Bolden will be starting, so we have to make sure we give him the protection he needs (he is horrible under pressure). I think you will see a lot of 2 TE sets with max protect (at least I hope that is the case).

    I have seen a couple of games with Houston this year,and I think they play most like Northwestern (when Persa is in) with what they want to do. Kevin Sumlin is a great offensive mind, so it will be interesting to see how the Cougars play without him. PSU's front 7 will easily be the best that Houston has faced this season... I hope that we will be about to create pressure with them. If we can do that, I think we will fare very well against Houston.

    It should be a fun game to watch.

    Thanks! I've always had a ton of respect for Penn State, and enjoy interacting with you guys.

    I agree that this is a fun matchup. I really think Penn State will win comfortably unless they just don't show up. And considering the fact that Houston is favored by a TD, this would be a nice win for the B1G.

    Recruiting Analyst for Voice of the Hawkeyes. Email: tworly@yahoo.com; Twitter: @ToddWorly247

    Todd Worly

  • I'm looking for Team Christmas (Redd and Green) to play ball control. Throw in a few passes from QB1 and Belton.

    Defense will need to pressure Keenum. Don't be surprised to see more blitzes than usual. PSU in the past has run an overload outside blitz (with Mauti/Stupar both coming off the edge) with some success. Can't let Keenum be comfortable.

    pennstatel0

  • Don't have a good feeling about this game. Players not wanting to play in the game. Fights between players. Our starting Qb day to day with a concussion. An explosive player maker (Drake) out. Lame duck staff and finally all of the fallout caused by that POS Sandusky.

    bfpsu

  • My main thought is that this is the end of The PSU football era that I grew up with. I will be bringing my family to this game largely to send off this coaching staff. They deserve better.

    PennStateFan33

  • I'm really worried that we develop a small lead in the fourth and Keenum slowly picks apart the zone at the end on a game winning drive.

    PSUfan28 ●

  • Interesting game. Might be 70-7 Houston ..........or...........28 - 24 PSU.

    I'm think it will closer to the former. Remember the Wisconsin game!

    jayer ●

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