Craig's crystal ball says PSU is going to the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.If that's true, I'm definitely wearing/eating a nacho hat during the game.
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Editor's Note: The following is the next installment of the PSU 2007 season preview. Once again, our sherpa through the Happy Valley is none other than Kaiser Craig von Fritz.
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PSU Game by Game Predictions – By the Commander
#18 PSU vs. Florida International – Sept 1, 12pm, Big Ten Network (BTN) – The Golden Panthers come to town following a remarkable 0-12 season that was made even worse by a high publicized brawl with cross-town foe Miami. They gave up an average of 300 yds/game. Expect more of the same when they visit the Beav. The Lions light it up early and often.
PSU 40 FIU 6
#18 PSU vs. Notre Dame – Sept 8 – , 6pm, ESPN – The Golden Domers visit Happy Valley for the first time in over a decade in one of the most anticipated match-ups of the young season. The Lions will be hungry for revenge after facing a 41-17 whipping at the hands of Fat Charlie and Co. in 2006. The tables are turned now, however. The Irish lost their top QB, RB and top 3 WRs. A work-in-progress offense will find scoring difficult against a stout Nittany Lions defense. Though their running game is formidable, ND’s turnstile at the QB position will limit them through the air. Expect a raucous crowd for a game that might break the all-time attendance record at Beaver Stadium. ND keeps it close until the 3rd, but a costly turnover helps the Lions win going away.
PSU 31 ND 18
#16 PSU vs. Buffalo – Sept 15, 12pm, BTN – The Bulls managed a paltry two victories last season and one came in overtime against fellow cellar dweller, Temple. Likely the worst defense the Lions will face all year gave up 390 yds/game and 56 touchdowns a year ago. I expect the 2nd and 3rd teamers for the Lions to get significant playing time in this contest. The final will never be in doubt.
PSU 52 UB 3
#16 PSU @ #5 Michigan – Sept 22, TBA, ABC/ESPN – The Lions return to their personal house of horrors where even the invincible will of Michael Robinson bowed to the mighty Wolverines. PSU is 3-9 against Michigan since joining the Big10, losing the last 8 games in a row. Many are touting UM as a contender for the national championship, and they certainly have the weapons to be right there. The question mark remains the defense. A team that was exposed at the end of last season and lost three major playmakers in Lamar Woodley, Leon Hall and Alan Branch has large holes to fill. Linebacker Sean Crable is a beast, but can be contained. The game will be won or lost in the trenches were the Nit’s young defensive line will have to contend with a Wolverines offensive line that features future first round pick, Jake Long. PSU has chances late, but can’t dig out of the hole made during the first three quarters.
PSU 18 UM 24
#21 PSU @ Illinois – Sept 29, TBA (BTN likely) – The spunky Illni put a scare into the Lions last year at Beaver Stadium. Not the case this year. Even with all-everything QB Juice Williams and highly regarded freshman wideout Arrilious Benn, the Lions put the game away early in the 3rd quarter. Williams’ erratic nature and poor decision making won’t fair well against PSU’s ball-hawking secondary. The defense leads the charge by forcing three turnovers.
PSU 31 Ill 17
#18 PSU vs. Iowa – Oct 6, TBA (ESPN2 likely) – The Hawkeyes rotate back on to PSU’s schedule after two years away. They couldn’t have picked a worse time to be breaking in a new quarterback and new wide receivers. Iowa suffered through their worst season in some time winning only two conference games while posting embarrassing losses against Minnesota, Indiana and Northwestern. Expect a more cohesive and tough unit this year, but it’s still not enough to come into the Beav and walk out with a win. Kirk Ferentz has owned JoePa in recent years, but Joe gets back with a vengeance in 2007.
PSU 24 Iowa 13
#16 PSU vs. #4 Wisconsin – Oct 13, 3:30pm, ABC (Homecoming) – This is a game that will likely determine if the Nittany Lions are going to be BCS bowling or be headed back to Florida for another showdown with a mid-level SEC team. The Badgers far exceeded expectations a year ago by going 12-1 and beating Arkansas in the Capital One Bowl. They return 18 starters including RB sensation P.J. Hill who became the fifth Badger freshman to break the 1,000 yd mark. However, the players the lost will be difficult to replace. Offensive lineman Joe Thomas left as the #3 overall pick of the Cleveland Browns. UW also lost 3-year starting QB John Stocco. Though he leaves the reigns of the offense in the capable hands of 5th-year senior Tyler Donovan, he will be difficult to replace. If the Lions are able to shut down Hill, they should be able to come away with a victory. Expect this to be the most physical game the Lions play all season.
PSU 16 UW 13
#8 PSU @ Indiana – Oct 20, TBA (BTN likely) – The Hoosiers are back on the schedule after a two-year hiatus. Devastated by the loss of coach Terry Hoeppner to cancer, IU will have a tough time hitting it’s stride against the upper-tier of the Big10. The Hoosiers so some fight, but turnovers and lack of athletes show by mid-way through the 2nd half. Morelli puts up big numbers against an out-gunned secondary.
PSU 44 IU 20
#8 PSU vs. # 13 Ohio State – Oct 27, 8pm, ABC – This emerging rivalry often favors the home team, so it’s a good thing the game is in State College. The Buckeyes are coming off a run to the national championship game, but have major holes to fill. Gone are top offensive producers Troy Smith, Ted Ginn, Antonio Pittman and Anthony Gonzales. Significant losses on the DLine also leave much in doubt. By this point in the season, the Lion’s D will be clicking on all cylinders. Look for the front seven to harass yet another new QB coming into Beaver Stadium. If Penn State can keep stud RB Chris Wells in check, the Bucks will be in for a long night.
PSU 26 OSU 19
#6 PSU vs. Purdue – Nov 3, TBA (ESPN2/BTN) – Penn State shut down Purdue’s gimmick offense a year ago in West Lafayette. While they won’t earn a shutout, expect more of the same from the Lions. Meanwhile, the Boilermaker’s defense is simply terrible and gave up over 400 yds/game a season ago, ranking in the bottom 20 of the entire NCAA. After a tough end of September and October, this game is a nice start to the last month of the season. Look for Austin Scott to go over 1,000 yds for the season in this game.
PSU 38 Pur 14
#6 PSU @ Temple – Nov 10, TBA (BTN likely) – The Owls were Penn State’s second shutout victim a year ago. Unfortunately for Temple fans and coach Al Golden, 2007 holds more of the same. Temple will be a MAC team this year, but still have less than 4 wins to show for their move to a lower conference 3 years after getting kicked out of the Big East. Look for the Lions to score early and often in this game being played at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. It’s over by halftime and we all go to Atlantic City for strippers and blackjack.
PSU 52 Temple 9
#6 PSU @ Michigan State – Nov 17, TBA (ESPN/ESPN2 likely) – PSU rolls into East Lansing having taken the last three games from the Spartans in convincing fashion. Though new coach Mark Dantonio brings new enthusiasm to the MSU faithful, they simply lack the athletes to run with Penn State. This game will be closer than it should be, but the Lions wrap up their 2nd Big10 Conference title in 3 years by closing out Sparty late.
PSU 27 MSU 21
#6 PSU vs. #7 Auburn – Jan 2, 8pm, FOX – After tying with Wisconsin for the Big10 crown, PSU gets bumped out of the Rose Bowl to the desert to play the Auburn Tigers in the Fiesta Bowl. Penn State’s first trip to Arizona since thumping Tennessee in 1992 brings two teams with very similar make-ups. Both sport experienced, senior quarterbacks and both have athletic fast defenses. This one comes down to turnovers and the Lions prevail in that battle as they have all season. Justin King announces his early entry in the NFL draft days after the bowl.
PSU 28 AU 25
Final record: 12-1
Final ranking: #4
#18 PSU vs. Florida International – Sept 1, 12pm, Big Ten Network (BTN) – The Golden Panthers come to town following a remarkable 0-12 season that was made even worse by a high publicized brawl with cross-town foe Miami. They gave up an average of 300 yds/game. Expect more of the same when they visit the Beav. The Lions light it up early and often.
PSU 40 FIU 6
#18 PSU vs. Notre Dame – Sept 8 – , 6pm, ESPN – The Golden Domers visit Happy Valley for the first time in over a decade in one of the most anticipated match-ups of the young season. The Lions will be hungry for revenge after facing a 41-17 whipping at the hands of Fat Charlie and Co. in 2006. The tables are turned now, however. The Irish lost their top QB, RB and top 3 WRs. A work-in-progress offense will find scoring difficult against a stout Nittany Lions defense. Though their running game is formidable, ND’s turnstile at the QB position will limit them through the air. Expect a raucous crowd for a game that might break the all-time attendance record at Beaver Stadium. ND keeps it close until the 3rd, but a costly turnover helps the Lions win going away.
PSU 31 ND 18
#16 PSU vs. Buffalo – Sept 15, 12pm, BTN – The Bulls managed a paltry two victories last season and one came in overtime against fellow cellar dweller, Temple. Likely the worst defense the Lions will face all year gave up 390 yds/game and 56 touchdowns a year ago. I expect the 2nd and 3rd teamers for the Lions to get significant playing time in this contest. The final will never be in doubt.
PSU 52 UB 3
#16 PSU @ #5 Michigan – Sept 22, TBA, ABC/ESPN – The Lions return to their personal house of horrors where even the invincible will of Michael Robinson bowed to the mighty Wolverines. PSU is 3-9 against Michigan since joining the Big10, losing the last 8 games in a row. Many are touting UM as a contender for the national championship, and they certainly have the weapons to be right there. The question mark remains the defense. A team that was exposed at the end of last season and lost three major playmakers in Lamar Woodley, Leon Hall and Alan Branch has large holes to fill. Linebacker Sean Crable is a beast, but can be contained. The game will be won or lost in the trenches were the Nit’s young defensive line will have to contend with a Wolverines offensive line that features future first round pick, Jake Long. PSU has chances late, but can’t dig out of the hole made during the first three quarters.
PSU 18 UM 24
#21 PSU @ Illinois – Sept 29, TBA (BTN likely) – The spunky Illni put a scare into the Lions last year at Beaver Stadium. Not the case this year. Even with all-everything QB Juice Williams and highly regarded freshman wideout Arrilious Benn, the Lions put the game away early in the 3rd quarter. Williams’ erratic nature and poor decision making won’t fair well against PSU’s ball-hawking secondary. The defense leads the charge by forcing three turnovers.
PSU 31 Ill 17
#18 PSU vs. Iowa – Oct 6, TBA (ESPN2 likely) – The Hawkeyes rotate back on to PSU’s schedule after two years away. They couldn’t have picked a worse time to be breaking in a new quarterback and new wide receivers. Iowa suffered through their worst season in some time winning only two conference games while posting embarrassing losses against Minnesota, Indiana and Northwestern. Expect a more cohesive and tough unit this year, but it’s still not enough to come into the Beav and walk out with a win. Kirk Ferentz has owned JoePa in recent years, but Joe gets back with a vengeance in 2007.
PSU 24 Iowa 13
#16 PSU vs. #4 Wisconsin – Oct 13, 3:30pm, ABC (Homecoming) – This is a game that will likely determine if the Nittany Lions are going to be BCS bowling or be headed back to Florida for another showdown with a mid-level SEC team. The Badgers far exceeded expectations a year ago by going 12-1 and beating Arkansas in the Capital One Bowl. They return 18 starters including RB sensation P.J. Hill who became the fifth Badger freshman to break the 1,000 yd mark. However, the players the lost will be difficult to replace. Offensive lineman Joe Thomas left as the #3 overall pick of the Cleveland Browns. UW also lost 3-year starting QB John Stocco. Though he leaves the reigns of the offense in the capable hands of 5th-year senior Tyler Donovan, he will be difficult to replace. If the Lions are able to shut down Hill, they should be able to come away with a victory. Expect this to be the most physical game the Lions play all season.
PSU 16 UW 13
#8 PSU @ Indiana – Oct 20, TBA (BTN likely) – The Hoosiers are back on the schedule after a two-year hiatus. Devastated by the loss of coach Terry Hoeppner to cancer, IU will have a tough time hitting it’s stride against the upper-tier of the Big10. The Hoosiers so some fight, but turnovers and lack of athletes show by mid-way through the 2nd half. Morelli puts up big numbers against an out-gunned secondary.
PSU 44 IU 20
#8 PSU vs. # 13 Ohio State – Oct 27, 8pm, ABC – This emerging rivalry often favors the home team, so it’s a good thing the game is in State College. The Buckeyes are coming off a run to the national championship game, but have major holes to fill. Gone are top offensive producers Troy Smith, Ted Ginn, Antonio Pittman and Anthony Gonzales. Significant losses on the DLine also leave much in doubt. By this point in the season, the Lion’s D will be clicking on all cylinders. Look for the front seven to harass yet another new QB coming into Beaver Stadium. If Penn State can keep stud RB Chris Wells in check, the Bucks will be in for a long night.
PSU 26 OSU 19
#6 PSU vs. Purdue – Nov 3, TBA (ESPN2/BTN) – Penn State shut down Purdue’s gimmick offense a year ago in West Lafayette. While they won’t earn a shutout, expect more of the same from the Lions. Meanwhile, the Boilermaker’s defense is simply terrible and gave up over 400 yds/game a season ago, ranking in the bottom 20 of the entire NCAA. After a tough end of September and October, this game is a nice start to the last month of the season. Look for Austin Scott to go over 1,000 yds for the season in this game.
PSU 38 Pur 14
#6 PSU @ Temple – Nov 10, TBA (BTN likely) – The Owls were Penn State’s second shutout victim a year ago. Unfortunately for Temple fans and coach Al Golden, 2007 holds more of the same. Temple will be a MAC team this year, but still have less than 4 wins to show for their move to a lower conference 3 years after getting kicked out of the Big East. Look for the Lions to score early and often in this game being played at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. It’s over by halftime and we all go to Atlantic City for strippers and blackjack.
PSU 52 Temple 9
#6 PSU @ Michigan State – Nov 17, TBA (ESPN/ESPN2 likely) – PSU rolls into East Lansing having taken the last three games from the Spartans in convincing fashion. Though new coach Mark Dantonio brings new enthusiasm to the MSU faithful, they simply lack the athletes to run with Penn State. This game will be closer than it should be, but the Lions wrap up their 2nd Big10 Conference title in 3 years by closing out Sparty late.
PSU 27 MSU 21
#6 PSU vs. #7 Auburn – Jan 2, 8pm, FOX – After tying with Wisconsin for the Big10 crown, PSU gets bumped out of the Rose Bowl to the desert to play the Auburn Tigers in the Fiesta Bowl. Penn State’s first trip to Arizona since thumping Tennessee in 1992 brings two teams with very similar make-ups. Both sport experienced, senior quarterbacks and both have athletic fast defenses. This one comes down to turnovers and the Lions prevail in that battle as they have all season. Justin King announces his early entry in the NFL draft days after the bowl.
PSU 28 AU 25
Final record: 12-1
Final ranking: #4
2 comments:
By the way, if we were doing fantasy college football, Aaron's first two picks would be Juice Williams and Arrilious Benn.
Those are some of the blackest names I've ever heard in my life.
I found a couple of my own typos, but deal with it. We're going 12-1 for the second time in 3 years!!
Oh, and that'd be 35-6 over the last 3 seasons if anyone's counting :)
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