I was surprised that the Penn State expert predicted the score:
Nebraska 27
Penn State 24
I hope we get the W this week.
Nebraska 27
Penn State 24
I hope we get the W this week.
Penn State Expert Prediction
- Thread starter PAHusker139
- Start date
I heard that they’ve pretty much thrown the towel on 2020. But hey, teams love to use us as a springboard for success.
According to James Franklin, they had their best practice of the year this week. I don't think we will see a team that has thrown in the towel. I expect to see a team fighting to make something of their season.
Best news so far this week. Every time we have our best practice we go out and lay a giant dookie
I think it's a legitimate question.
Penn State has sserious issues with blocking, tackling, communication on defense, motivation, and effort. Their offensive line has been atrocious, and Clifford has become a tackling dummy in the backfield. Their kicker is terrible as well.
The Nittany Lions can't run the ball unless Clifford takes off and scrambles. Their defense looks lost and confused. In some ways, they remind me of Nebraska in 2007.
It won't surprise me one bit to see the Huskers totally gouge Penn State for 450 yards, run for 250, sack Clifford 5 times, shut down their run game, but lose 26-19.
Penn State will be dangerous in the return game. They do have two outstanding weapons in Dotson and Freiermuth. Those two dudes are good enough to find the end zone 2 to 3 times for Penn State.
The rest of the game will be all about Nebraska.
^^^This^^^ Until we prove that we know how to win I am not putting any hopes in this game. For starters, based simply on recruiting rankings, they have more talent across the board than we do. I expect their QB, Clifford, will kill us with his legs, extending drives and keeping the chains moving. That will slow down our pass rush which is bad news because they have some really good receivers. Our defense must show up or else PSU will get their first win.
I bet Nebraska actually breaks Clifford in half. His offensive line is dreadful. Sure he will scramble a few times, but there will be far more negatives than positives for Clifford.
This game is about Nebraska's ability to hold on to the ball, limit turnovers, score in the red zone, and play competent special teams.
I agree with your last sentence. No matter what Clifford does, we had better do those things you mention or nothing else will matter. But I suspect that we will do better in those areas this week. But I am still not sold on our offense winning this game for us since we do have some unsettled issues at the QB spot and at the wide receiver position. Nor do we have a difference maker at running back. So I think we need to hold PSU to under 21 points. Our defense seems much improved over last year, but we are still prone to giving up the big play and still have issues with our 3rd down defense. And do not underestimate Clifford or their skill at wide receiver. In recent years we have made even marginal quarterbacks look good and he does have the ability to beat you with his legs.
I think we’ll get their best shot yet. But Franklin also talks a lot. His fan base complains that he often oversells and underperforms. Similar to another staff we all know and love.
They have zero running game and their offensive line has been really bad this year. I can see Chins blitzing the heck out of them. Clifford will make some big plays against us but I’m sure he’ll turn the ball over as well.
I don't think we are disagreeing here, we are just on a different plane of thought.
1. Dotson and Freiermuth are both excellent weapons for Penn State. I think their presence alone is worth 2 to 3 touchdowns.
2. However, Clifford aside, Penn State's offensive line is just playing awful. The Nittany Lions hired Minnesota's offensive coordinator from last season. That dude had a great year in 2019. But his RPO game is built around the ability to run the football. Penn State can't get anything done on the ground. Part of that is because of the loss of two excellent RBs, but also do to a shift in philosophy up front.
The focal point of that scheme, the RPO is almost irrelevant at this point. And that's why Penn State has allowed 13 sacks in 3 games. I expect Nebraska to absolutely light that dude up repeatedly on Saturday. Nebraska is a LOT more talented in their front 7 than Maryland.
I can totally see a situation where Clifford goes something like 13 for 30 for 225 yards 3TDs and 2 Ints, while getting sacked 5 times.
Nebraska's ability to win the game will revolve around their ability to not hand Penn State more points, while also finding ways to score on their own (a novel concept, I know.)
Yes, I agree with all of this. So yeah, we aren't really disagreeing, just emphasizing different things.
Winking
I don't see us winning. It will be giving up big 3rd downs, penalties , special team fubar's, bone headed play calling, SOS.
Hmm. Not sure I'd compare to Franklin. PSU >>> NU for a long time now.
But tomorrow marks the changing of the tide.
