PSU_Lions_84 Posted September 11, 2009 Report Share Posted September 11, 2009 First, a celebrity endorsement for Zips football: Mr. T sez, "Fear the Roo, foo'!!!!"The Akron-Penn State game has been played and then dissected, and now the two teams move on to other opponents. As it turns out, we have a common opponent on our skeds: The Syracuse Orange, led by former Duke PG Greg Paulus. The Orange took the Minnesota Golden Gophers to overtime last week, losing 23 - 20 in a game where the Cuse generated 257 yards in total offense while allowing 360 yards.I would welcome your predictions -- mainly on the final score, but if anyone wants to estimate other stats, feel free. (I know Akron is an excellent engineering school, so figure a lot of you are into numbers.)And as a second point-of-curiousity, will you root for Penn State, Syracuse, or stay neutral? And, why?My personal prediction: 34 - 14. After establishing the passing game, I think the Penn State offense will try to get the running game going more consistently. If they do, that will throttle back on the number of scoring opportunities.On the other hand, the success of the Zips passing game in the second half strengthened some fears about our defensive secondary. Giving Paulus his due, he had a decent passing day: 19-31 for 167 yards. I look for the Orange to be pass-happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDZip Posted September 11, 2009 Report Share Posted September 11, 2009 I think the Paulus rental is somewhat bizarre and I'd love to see Penn State hammer them. Makes us look a little better and gives us more hope that we can take them out again this year. Penn State 41-7. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyzip84 Posted September 11, 2009 Report Share Posted September 11, 2009 Mike Williams is a standout WR, who we didn't have to face last year in our 42-28 victory. I figure he and Paulus will probably connect once for a TD. I'll be very curious to see how the Orange O-Line contends with the Lion front 7. Of course, much of my curiousity in this game revolves around how the Zips will stack up against the Paulus-lead 'Cuse this year. It's tough to say for whom I'll be rooting. If the Orange make it TOO close, then that looks bad for Akron. I guess I'll stay somewhat neutral. I'll be more concerned with opening day festivities anyway. I'll disect the PSU-SU game later in the day.Penn State 45Syracuse 20 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PSU_Lions_84 Posted September 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2009 Just FYI, this is how I broke it down on the ESPN Syracuse-State conversation:My $0.02. (BTW, whatever happened to the "cents" key on the keyboard? Or am I just remembering my typewriter days, too?)Joe said after the Akron game that he wanted even more passing -- maybe to really establish those inexperienced WRs. With the passing game on track and the rushing game not so successful, I look for more focus on running. That will limit the number of scoring opportunities for Penn State's offense, and I also expect Wagner will be given more kicking opportunities, to bolster his confidence.Penn State -- 34On the other hand, the Orange generated 167 yards passing and 90 yards rushing against a decent GG defense. Our front seven looks stout -- again -- so I think their running game will be non-existent for at least three qtrs. This in turn puts pressure on Paulus, who had a decent game until his error in judgment in OT. If he gets any kind of protection from his line, I look for him to have 40+ attempts, with somewhere around 18 - 24 completions (and two INTs). Inevitably, that will result in one or two TDs because of blown coverage by our secondary, and I think Cuse will get close enough to punch in one FG.Cuse -- 17Halftime score: Lions -- 24, Orange -- 7.If the liquid sunshine (LOL USN Kologi!) appears, along with some wind, I reserve the right to subtract one TD from the Cuse, as Paulus' rust shows thru even more in a non-dome environment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Kangaroo Posted September 11, 2009 Report Share Posted September 11, 2009 Paulus hits a three at the buzzer -Penn State 38Syracuse 3Syracuse/Penn State predictions on a Zips board? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xu9697 Posted September 11, 2009 Report Share Posted September 11, 2009 PSU 37SU 17I think SU will be a tougher game for Akron than many Zips' fans seem to think. They will be improved, but not enough to beat PSU. For various reasons, I prefer PSU to come out on top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctmjbowes@sbcglobal.net Posted September 11, 2009 Report Share Posted September 11, 2009 I'm going:Nitanny Lions: 41Syracuse: 10I was at the Akron/Syracuse game last year, and Akron's win there was no fluke. I think both teams are better this year, but as I'm hoping that the Zips are better-er than Syracuse, and since Penn State will be throwing that crushing front 7 at the Orangepeople, which has to fluster PG Paulus, and lastly because I'm a Zips fan, I'm looking for the Nittany Lions to beat up on Syracuse a little more than they did UA.How's THAT for a prediction AND a run-on sentence?GO ZIPS!STZ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PSU_Lions_84 Posted September 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2009 I'm going:Nitanny Lions: 41Syracuse: 10I was at the Akron/Syracuse game last year, and Akron's win there was no fluke. I think both teams are better this year, but as I'm hoping that the Zips are better-er than Syracuse, and since Penn State will be throwing that crushing front 7 at the Orangepeople, which has to fluster PG Paulus, and lastly because I'm a Zips fan, I'm looking for the Nittany Lions to beat up on Syracuse a little more than they did UA.How's THAT for a prediction AND a run-on sentence?GO ZIPS!STZSTZ, you win the "channeling James Joyce" award for 2009!!Thank you all for the support!! Dang, I love college football!!!!!!!And, CPT K, if I am messing up your site, please let me know. You guys have been fun to talk with and while our paths will diverge at some point, I was looking for an excuse to keep in touch. You have my support against Morgan State, for what that is worth. Take the MAC championship, too!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zipmeister Posted September 11, 2009 Report Share Posted September 11, 2009 I have to go with the Cuse by 14. Turns out several PSU fans are avoiding the pay to participate Penn State fan internet sites and frequenting other schools free sites. The trickle down effect of this behavior comes home to roost this weekend in the form of a mild upset. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Adams Posted September 11, 2009 Report Share Posted September 11, 2009 who cares???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Z Posted September 12, 2009 Report Share Posted September 12, 2009 I'm intrested in the game since we play them both. I'm curious to see that d line against the Cuse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zips fan Posted September 12, 2009 Report Share Posted September 12, 2009 I think people are overestimating Syracuse. They got lucky against Minnesota in a season opener. I think PSU will anhilate the Orange. I am rooting for PSU to win by a score of 45-10. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PB1719 Posted September 12, 2009 Report Share Posted September 12, 2009 I think this game has no bearing on the Akron/ Syracuse game. Syracuse has nowhere near the same caliber front seven on defense that PSU has. As long as our O-ine holds, our skill position players will tear them up. As for our defense, I think they did pretty well vs. PSU. The only problem they had was they were on the field too long and too often. We should manage field position a heck of a lot better in the game vs. 'Cuse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Z Posted September 12, 2009 Report Share Posted September 12, 2009 Syracuse has nowhere near the same caliber front seven on defense that PSU has. As long as our O-ine holds, our skill position players will tear them up.Odrick was one of the guys we could not stop...just a beast Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psu1 Posted September 12, 2009 Report Share Posted September 12, 2009 Hey congrats on the win today Zips fans. 41-0 is a good start for your new stadium. PSU looked sloppy today but we were in control. I'm not too worried. We fumbled at the 16 which is the only reason Cuse scored. Good Luck you guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyzip84 Posted September 12, 2009 Report Share Posted September 12, 2009 Hey congrats on the win today Zips fans. 41-0 is a good start for your new stadium. PSU looked sloppy today but we were in control. I'm not too worried. We fumbled at the 16 which is the only reason Cuse scored. Good Luck you guys.Thanks, psu1. Next week will tell a lot more about the 2009 Zips. I'm sure JoePa and staff will get the kinks ironed out. The Zips game with the 'Cuse later looks like it'll be pretty competitive. I know I'll be there on the dome. Good luck next week against the Owls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZippyTuba11 Posted September 13, 2009 Report Share Posted September 13, 2009 Congrats on the win. I was glad to see Cuse in action against somebody we've already played. I think the game in the Dome will be a good one.I hope you will understand when I say I will be cheering for our fellow MAC school instead of Penn St, but I wish you a great season in your own conference play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psu1 Posted September 13, 2009 Report Share Posted September 13, 2009 I understand. I would do the same. But it won't matter. Temple hasn't beaten us in 68 years and we play almost every year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.