Penn State favored by 28; o/u 58.5

[Class of 82]

I'm not at all surprised by that line, or the lofty over-under. Our defense is getting no respect. Nor should they, until they prove otherwise.My heart wants to predict an upset, but my head tells me merely to predict a legitimately entertaining football game against a very talented opponent in a very intimidating environment.I think it'll be fairly close at halftime, with the Lions pulling away in the second half.Penn State 38, Akron 20.

[ZachTheZip]

Take the over.

[GP1]

I'm not at all surprised by that line, or the lofty over-under. Our defense is getting no respect. Nor should they, until they prove otherwise.My heart wants to predict an upset, but my head tells me merely to predict a legitimately entertaining football game against a very talented opponent in a very intimidating environment.I think it'll be fairly close at halftime, with the Lions pulling away in the second half.Penn State 38, Akron 20.

I love this prediction. Take the Zips +28 and the under.

[Buckzip]

49-21 PSU.

[xu9697]

Nits' 37 Zips 27I think we will have our moments and our chances, but inevitably their depth, a couple less mistakes by PSU and poor UA special teams will be the difference.

[GP1]

Nits' 37 Zips 27I think we will have our moments and our chances, but inevitably their depth, a couple less mistakes by PSU and poor UA special teams will be the difference.

I still like Class of 82's prediction. Your score is too hard to get to. 37 points would be four TD's (assume all TDs are with extra points) and three field goals. 27 is three TD's and two field goals. PSU will have five TD's and one FG for 38. The Zips will have two TDs and two FGs for 20. The Zips will move the ball, but not score enough TDs and miss a couple of FGs along the way. That's just how we roll. Joe Pa is not one to run up the score so the Zips will cover.The Zips can win every other game on the schedule except this game and maybe the CMU game (odd things happen to the Zips up there).

[johnnyzip84]

By the services reported in USAToday, it looks like the money is swinging ever so slightly in favor of Akron.USAToday LinkI'm waiting until Friday to make my prediction, to hopefully get last minute word on injuries/eligibility.

[PSU_Lions_84]

By the services reported in USAToday, it looks like the money is swinging ever so slightly in favor of Akron.USAToday LinkI'm waiting until Friday to make my prediction, to hopefully get last minute word on injuries/eligibility.

Still think you guys score first, it is reasonably close ( 21 - 7, 24 - 10, something like that) going to the half, then Penn State's bench carries the day to a 35 - 14 or 35 - 17 Lions' victory.I look forward to your pass offense testing our secondary. I think we need that, b/c this is the year Juice Williams and Aurelius Benn begin to light up the Illinois scoreboard. Having our secondary tested early and often will help them in later games (I hope!).Only five days to go!!

[Zipmeister]

I just have a hunch Akron wins by 14.

[Kangaroo Craig]

They got spanked by SC in their last game and they are 28 point favorites. I do not see it. I think we give them a good game and come up short by about 10 points. Just wander what the line would be if Akron had to go to LA or Gainesville.

[jupitertoo]

They got spanked by SC in their last game and they are 28 point favorites. I do not see it. I think we give them a good game and come up short by about 10 points. Just wander what the line would be if Akron had to go to LA or Gainesville.

In games like this, MAC teams need to just stay healthy. I'm sure you want to have key starters available for Indiana.

[ctmjbowes@sbcglobal.net]

If the Zippers can keep it close, perhaps even put a little jolt of fear into the Nittany Lions, and not suffer any season-ending-type injuries to key players, I will be happy. There are times when a "good loss" can power a program. I hope this is one of those games for the Zips. By the way, I've been impressed by the interaction between fans of both schools here at ZN. Good banter but no ugliness. Excellent. Makes me HATE OSU THAT MUCH MORE.GO ZIPS!STZ

[ZippyTuba11]

If the Zippers can keep it close, perhaps even put a little jolt of fear into the Nittany Lions, and not suffer any season-ending-type injuries to key players, I will be happy. There are times when a "good loss" can power a program. I hope this is one of those games for the Zips. By the way, I've been impressed by the interaction between fans of both schools here at ZN. Good banter but no ugliness. Excellent. Makes me HATE OSU THAT MUCH MORE.GO ZIPS!STZ

A good win will do far better than a good loss. Zips are going to take 'em all the way!I say Zips by 3

[ZachTheZip]

There's no such thing as a good loss. Ever.

[Dr Z]

In games like this, MAC teams need to just stay healthy. I'm sure you want to have key starters available for Indiana.

I remember when this used to be true for Akron 8 or so years ago, I'm glad those days are behind us.

[psu1]

Penn State 45 Akron 17I think Akron will score some points early on PSU's defense. Even Coastal Carolina got a first quarter TD on us last year. Unfortunately for them, Derrick Williams took a kickoff to the house on the very next play. We usually struggle early in the game. Just cause of nerves or something. Akron's passing game should be a good test for our secondary. But I don't think Akron will be able to keep up with PSU's offense after a quarter or so. Just my opinion.

[Buckzip]

In games like this, MAC teams need to just stay healthy. I'm sure you want to have key starters available for Indiana.

I remember when this used to be true for Akron 8 or so years ago, I'm glad those days are behind us.

I agree. PSU is not bigger and stronger than Akron, they are just faster and better football players for the most part.They aren't necessarily tougher. Comments like that make it sound like UA has a bunch of 5'11 220lb lineman. If a guy is going to get injured, he is going to get injured.

[Zipsrifle]

I try to be very down to earth with these predictions. Zips shock the nation....Akron 48 to PSU 44. I'm feeling it!

[RACER]

if im betting on this game im taking akronand the points.unless the zips turn the ball over a few times i don't see us getting beat by 28.wmu is also a -12 to -11 point underdog at michigan.mac needs to beat michigan to keep them down,and the heat will start on the coach after the first game.i still think wmu can win this game.michigan was horrible the last game of the season against osu.

[Buckzip]

if im betting on this game im taking akronand the points.unless the zips turn the ball over a few times i don't see us getting beat by 28.wmu is also a -12 to -11 point underdog at michigan.mac needs to beat michigan to keep them down,and the heat will start on the coach after the first game.i still think wmu can win this game.michigan was horrible the last game of the season against osu.

Noooo. I want Dick Rod to stay at UM for a long time.

[johnnyzip84]

In games like this, MAC teams need to just stay healthy. I'm sure you want to have key starters available for Indiana.

I remember when this used to be true for Akron 8 or so years ago, I'm glad those days are behind us.

I agree. PSU is not bigger and stronger than Akron, they are just faster and better football players for the most part.They aren't necessarily tougher. Comments like that make it sound like UA has a bunch of 5'11 220lb lineman. If a guy is going to get injured, he is going to get injured.

+1 The idea that the lesser known school is going to come home in body bags after playing the bigger name school is a ridiculous, ignorant assertion. Since Akron went D1-A, I ask anyone to cite a game against the Nebraskas, Floridas, OSUs, etc. in which the Zips have been decimated by injuries. Buckzip is correct. It's the speed, athletic ability and depth that generally separate teams.

[PSU_Lions_84]

Penn State has a long tradition of starting out slowly/sluggishly in games that start at noon. That is another factor why I believe the Zips will score first. (But my primary reason is b/c of the Zips passing game -- you guys will get it done until the PSU front seven wears down your O-line.)Are we there yet?!?!?!?!?!SeeTeeZip: Major props to your fans for keeping this dialogue civil. Hope you guys will support us in November against the school-who-cannot-be-named-on-this-board.

[tbozeglav]

Im thinking PSU's depth and athleticism will be the deciding factor for the day. Akron will probably have a chance to take an early lead, but I wont be surprised if we fall off later in the game once our defense starts wearing down. Im going to take the over.

[ZippyTuba11]

Penn State has a long tradition of starting out slowly/sluggishly in games that start at noon. That is another factor why I believe the Zips will score first. (But my primary reason is b/c of the Zips passing game -- you guys will get it done until the PSU front seven wears down your O-line.)Are we there yet?!?!?!?!?!SeeTeeZip: Major props to your fans for keeping this dialogue civil. Hope you guys will support us in November against the school-who-cannot-be-named-on-this-board.

You know it. I'm not much of a B-11 fan, but if I were to support a team from that conference, it would be PSU. Maybe it's because JoePa is so old he just doesn't care anymore, but he seems to be the only major coach supporting a playoff system.

[PSU_Lions_84]

You know it. I'm not much of a B-11 fan, but if I were to support a team from that conference, it would be PSU. Maybe it's because JoePa is so old he just doesn't care anymore, but he seems to be the only major coach supporting a playoff system.Thanks, ZippyTuba11! I'm not much of a Big(11)10 fan, either -- grew up watching Penn State compete as an independent and as the "Beast of the East". The "rivalry" with Michigan State feels contrived -- no disrespect to the Spartans -- like taking your second cousin to the prom or something. And, candidly, we are not consistently competing at the level I had hoped for, once we entered the conference.Here is Penn State's depth chart, if anyone cares to review. http://www.gopsusports.com/auto_pdf/p_hoto...StateDepthChartSupposedly Stephfon Green and Chaz Powell will share kick-off return duties -- not sure of the wisdom of that. Hate risking either one of them on KO's. Likewise, Drew Astorino (free safety) will handle punt returns. We are so weak and thin in the defensive secondary that this is risky, imho.Oh, well, they don't consult me . . .