PSU_Lions_84

Good to hear your news, DrZ, thanks. Again, I think you guys will have a very successful season -- your D is battle-tested, and if it plays like it did in the second half, WHOO-HOO for the Roo!

Guys, I know there were a few broken dreams and hopes left behind in Happy Valley, but I think you have reason for future optimism: Your defense played lights out in the second half, your passing game began to show, and so on. PLEASE, tho, tell your team/coaches not to run into the middle against a PSU defense. We have our pride, too, and run defense is a cornerstone.We face Temple in two weeks. I hope many of you tune in to support the Lions (as well as to scout the Owls), and will continue to support Penn State the remainder of the season.You guys have been enthusiastic, fun, and gracious; I appreciate the offer to check back in from time to time. Come basketball season, I add Duke to my list of teams -- I work here, so it is hard not to support them -- so will be watching your bball team as well. Good luck to a class group of fans, Zips!!(the other) 84P.S. Still interested in hearing how Zips fans were treated at the game, what they thought of the stadium atmosphere, etc.

Guys, much better second half. Lots of reason to be confident as you move deeper into the season. Best of luck to you!!

Zips D is stepping it up. Good to see -- they haven't given up.Somebody steal the Zips playbook and burn that up the middle running play. IT WILL NOT WORK AGAINST THE LIONS!!!!!!!!!!

Zach, that TD psss is your answer to why I worry about our secondary. Nice defensive AND offensive set.

Last two Zips passes looked good. But, the running game isn't going to be there for Akron.

Hang in there, guys. Unfortunately, Penn State has something to prove. All the negative publicity about how our new O-line/WRs/secondary would suck, how we couldn't reload unlike another school in your area, etc., etc.JoePa just pointed out that State is playing very inconsistently, a statement with which I agree. Little consolation to you guys, but Clark has been forcing the ball, the O-line needs to stay with its blocks better on running plays, etc.

Zach, feel free to disagree, but I think the Zips O is not adjusting to the speed of the PSU D. It's hard to explain how 320-lb linemen can move that quickly, but the Lion front seven can . . . .

Sorry, Zach. I agree with ya. Unsporting.

He's getting his Jacq knocked off . . . .Zips are finding it hard to handle Penn State's speed. Maybe try a screen or two . . .

Almost time! Good luck to you guys, and FIGHT ON STATE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dumb ass. Zordich, I mean. I hope he has to run until he pukes, then is made to eat it, and then run some more.

Zippy_ua_00, likewise and more. You guys are a fantastic bunch, and I wish you the very best success (in every game but one)! Remember who you are, and be proud.I hope to be on this site tomorrow during the actual game. I look forward to you'all's analysis of how the game is going, Penn State's weaknesses, etc., etc.For those of you attending: Safe travels, enjoyable time in what is what one of the best venues for CFB (as described by other folks as well as us biased Penn Staters), and happy tailgating. I look forward to hearing about your visit -- hopefully you will be treated with the respect you deserve.And unless you are a total JoePa hater, you should see something that will never be replicated: A coach who has been part of the same institution for 60 years walking onto the field. I used to get chills seeing Joe and Bear Bryant on opposite sidelines, and that was 25 years ago!

Lititz, the "truth" about our secondary vs. Akron passing offense will fall somewhere btwn the two extremes represented in most posts here. Yes, many of our D-backs are relatively inexperienced, and, yes, Akron's passing O is both veteran and talented. But, the Penn State D's have been facing the Penn State offense -- Clark and those big WRs -- and are some talented athletes themselves. Will Akron burn State on a play or two? I expect that to happen. Will it happen often enough to give Akron more than three scores? Not likely, imho. And note most of the posts are focusing on Akron's passing O vs the Lion secondary. All but the most fervent Zips fans concede that the Akron defense may be facing some huge challenges.But, opinions are just that -- and it's why the games get played even all these posts and writings and analyses.Just under 24 hours to go!!

An somewhat rosy article on Penn State's secondary: http://www.nw32.com/sports/sns-ap-fbc-t25-...0,5878970.storyAnd a more general write-up covering various aspects of the Lions: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09246/995348-143.stm

It's just one more slice of excitement for us college football Zip fans less than 46 hours before kick-off!Johnny, hope you don't mind -- I amended your one statement a little. Looking forward to a good game, with no injuries (to players OR fans!).

Hey other '84, are you allowed to revise yor prediction like that? Do you have some sort of new inside information?Your site, your rules, Johnny. I'll revert back to my 35-17 if you like, but the new information was in the link I posted from Sporting News on the PSU offense. I had not heard before that Royster and Green AND one of the tight ends could share the backfield. I'm afraid your D is in for a long afternoon if they have to contain Royster/Green/Clark/Quarless/Shuler coming at them. esp. if Akron stays with the 3-3-5 -- any definitive word on that?Sorry, UA Fan, don't gamble or worry about the point spread. Am in finance, so tend to fixate on numbers. Look up "boring" at dictionary.com and they have my pic AND resume there.

Update on Penn State's offensive weapons: http://www.sportingnews.com/college-footba...or-no-9-penn-stPSU 45, Akron 17. Sorry, guys, the hammer is descending, and the Zips' head is the nail.49 hours and counting!!!!!

ZippyTuba11, I dub thee "Zips Zen Master" -- good summary!!

but I know that PSU already knows that the Zips will be pass happy, and will defend that wayLance, to me, our secondary has historically been vulnerable to a passing attack, even when we knew it was coming. (Exhibit A: last year's Rose Bowl).In the end, we are saying the same thing: Pass when a run is expected, run when a pass is expected. Slippery when wet. Shaken, not stirred. Etc.60 hours to go!

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is a succinct summary of my many boring, lengthy posts on this site.P.S. I see Rowdy is confusing his sports again. Rowdy, the golf thread is on a different forum.

Is "Ako Poti" a close-enough substitute? He is the back-up left tackle on offense. 6'4", 306 lbs.

Man, guilty as charged! C'mon, I am doing my best not to tastelessly brag about Linebacker U, our depth at RB, the starting front seven -- four of whom show up on many award watch lists, etc., etc., etc.In the end -- and, again, I am trying to be as sensitive as I can be -- Akron apparently recruits enough good-to-excellent players to build a strong first unit (more so on offense than D, but that is another discussion point). However, the program is not yet mature enough to get a strong supporting cast. Penn State is able to attract lots of excellent players, which means the drop-off btwn the first and second units is usually not that significant.Now I'm sure there are lots of examples to the contrary -- I concede you those examples. But, Akron fans seem to have a firm grasp of reality, and I think you guys can concede my point, and understand the on-field impact of that point.To be indelicate: Here is a list of schools wooing Marcus Lattimore, a five-star RB who is the South Carolina player of 2008 -- North Carolina, Penn State, Oregon, South Carolina, Auburn, Florida State, Alabama, Maryland, Georgia, Michigan, LSU, Tennessee, Clemson, Duke, Nebraska, Miami-FL, Kentucky, N.C. State, Kansas, Notre Dame, Wake Forest, Virginia...The first five represent his top picks in priority order. I did not see Akron in that list . . . And, Dr. Z., my scenario was based on this absolute "must": Akron MUST keep the Penn State offense off the field as much as possible. Even with your passing offense, Akron will not win a shoot-out. And, yes, UAZipsMan, that is also bias/opinion! Under 70 hours to go!!

1) Run the football! Sounds simple enough. If you start throwing the football around, PSU will start playing defence like that.2) No mistakes! Already stated3) No big plays! If and this is a big "if" the zips play the 3-3-5, they will have to stop the run and they have to prove that.4) Keep the game close! If Toledo can beat them there, then the Zips can(the power of positive thinking)5) Finally, Use what the people are saying about them how they are going to get blown out! This is a very winnable game no matter what anyone saysLance, respectfully disagree with some of your points. And I understand you can be suspicious of my motives, since I am obviously a Penn State alum/fan. But, I love CFB, and want to see a good game, so here is how I see Akron's game plan working:(1) On defense, Penn State is weakest against the pass. The Zips should throw to force the LBs (the strongest part of the Lion D) to support the secondary. That might/should open up the Akron running game. Mixing up the running and passing plays in the "right" way could confuse the defense. It will be important to keep the Lion offense on the sideline.(2) Agreed!(3) Agree with the first part, but a 3-3-5 is not going to stop the run. If Royster/Green get past the down linemen, it will be a long day for your backers and secondary. IMHO, it is never a good sign when your safety leads the team in tackles. You are going to have to play man on the WRs, hoping they can blanket those inexperienced receivers while the other defensive players pressure Clark. Yes, he can hurt you with his scrambling, but if everyone else is covered he is more easily contained.(4) Good. Mind over matter: I don't mind, and you don't matter. J/K!!!!!!!!!!!!(5) Free advice is often worth what you paid for it. Proof: My points 1 and 3, just above.Good luck!

I think the Zips team will represent your school and you fans very well. Look for the first half to be close. The Penn State bench, unfortunately for Akron, is much deeper, talent-wise, than that of Akron. That will show in the second half.......... Unfortunately for the Lions, they weren't able to overcome their first half deficit and lose to The University of Akron Zips 35-27. UADavid, I will pass on that particular flavor of Kool-Aid -- thanks just the same! -- but certainly you guys deserve respect, whatever happens. The breakdown will occur when your O-line can no longer contain Penn State's front seven. I think there is too much physical (i.e., strength, talent, etc.) separation btwn those two groups, and the war of attrition favors the Lions. Just an opinion, of course.