Game #2 at Penn State Nittany Lions

[ZippyRulz]

http://gozips.com/sports/fball/2014-15/releases/201408253b2uoy

"Akron travels to Penn State on Sept. 6 for a Noon game at Beaver Stadium. ABC/ESPN will televise the game live regionally."

The GoZips.com schedule also lists ESPN2, does that mean it will be carried nationally on the deuce?

[Staton14]

http://gozips.com/sports/fball/2014-15/releases/201408253b2uoy

"Akron travels to Penn State on Sept. 6 for a Noon game at Beaver Stadium. ABC/ESPN will televise the game live regionally."

The GoZips.com schedule also lists ESPN2, does that mean it will be carried nationally on the deuce?

Probably on ESPN 2, regionally. I think they do that when they don't have a "big" game to show nationally.

[Dr Z]

Hackenberg Big10's Top QB

Hackenberg was about as on-the-mark as anyone could have reasonably expected last season as a freshman weeks removed from high school graduation when his season began.

Heading into this opener, which kicks off 8:30 a.m. Saturday against Central Florida, Hackenberg has the benefit of not only a year of body maturity but also of experience at the major-college level. Plus, Hackenberg went through spring practice for the first time. Even with a new coaching staff and slightly different scheme, Hackenberg said he's better prepared for the start of this season.

Where do the Zips attack PSU's secondary?

The fourth spot in the secondary -- the corner opposite Lucas -- is the only unsure part of the group. Trevor Williams is listed as the starter with Davis backing him up, but freshmen likely could see playing time. Christian Campbell and particularly Grant Haley have been talked about as backups. The other three, however, are firmly entrenched in their positions and comfort with one another, so much so that their familiarity goes beyond verbal communication. Amos says he recognizes Lucas' hand signals.

Penn State Players Vacationing in Ireland

For about an hour late Thursday afternoon on an artificial turf field at University College Dublin, though, Penn State's players were allowed to be kids again.

“It was really cool,” linebacker Mike Hull said of tutorials in Gaelic football and hurling from players in the top leagues of Ireland's flagship sports. “We all like playing sports, and we all always made up sports like that growing up. It was a lot of fun.

[UA1987]

Penn State has a rebuilt offensive line and a strong front seven on defense. Sound familiar. They have some of the same problems we do but have their pipeline for replacing athletes is intact. Akron has done a fantastic job, but with our offensive line a work in process, we are at a disadvantage.

Here's how I see it:

QB - Hackenberg roll outs make him hard to get to, but Pohl is no slouch - advantage Penn State (but not by much)

RB - I did not see a super back on Penn State - no advantage to either

Receivers - advantage Akron

Offensive line - advantage Penn State

Defense - should I say it - no advantage to either (they are both very good)

Special teams - advantage Penn State

Our defense should keep this one from getting too far away, but can our offensive line handle Penn State. Can we move the ball and score or do we leave the defense on the field too long? Will our special teams perform or do they give up field position and points. Keys to the game - Offensive game plan that is flexible and finds some success and an offensive line that works.

[Balsy]

A positive Tommy Brown ruling would certainly help.

[ZippyRulz]

If our front 7 can slow down their running game and get some penetration it will be a lot of fun, but I hope our LB's are prepared for a lot of pass coverage.

[Buckzip]

A positive Tommy Brown ruling would certainly help.

MAYBE WE WILL GET A RULING AFTER THE SEASON IS OVER.

[LZIp]

I watched some of the game, but have it recorded and going to watch before I post my prediction/pre game analysis. If this Zips want to win a game like this..they will need to cash in on every chance they can..which means making FGs and XPs, and I have to say my confidence isn't too high after game 1.

[Balsy]

The Key to this game is QB. Christian Hackenberg is Penn State. Despite throwing for 450 yards against UCF, he only came away with 1 TD, 2 INT and was sacked twice.

Pressure Hackenberg early, shake him early, keep him in the pocket and (most importantly) keep him off the field.

This may sound impossible, but we've got to control the pace of this game. This is a winnable game.

[K92]

We have to go balls out to win this game. No playing "not to lose". I want to see the Zips open up their bag of tricks and take some chances.

Neuter the Nits!

[johnnyzip84]

Zips open as 18 point dogs.

K92 is correct, and I think you'll see TB and staff prepare accordingly. The front seven will need to get pressure or I'm afraid Hackenberg will have a big day. I think this has "shoot out" potential.

[Balsy]

Zips open as 18 point dogs.

K92 is correct, and I think you'll see TB and staff prepare accordingly. The front seven will need to get pressure or I'm afraid Hackenberg will have a big day. I think this has "shoot out" potential.

Hackenberg has a lot of potential to have big day (statistically) but there's a HUGE downside to CH...he's and the Nittany Lion offense are not very efficient. Despite throwing for 400ish yards...and almost doubling the total offensive production of UCF, they struggled to win by 2. The front 7 is going to be crucial in this game.

And K92, I'd love to see the back of tricks open early. I want this game very badly.

[ZippyRulz]

Zips open as 18 point dogs.

K92 is correct, and I think you'll see TB and staff prepare accordingly. The front seven will need to get pressure or I'm afraid Hackenberg will have a big day. I think this has "shoot out" potential.

Down to 15.5 point spread here. http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/odds

Sounds like the PSU-UCF game was a lot of fun " in front of a raucous 55,000-strong crowd in Ireland." http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=400547642

I wonder if the Irish know about the American tailgating tradition?

[Zipmeister]

We have to go balls out to win this game. No playing "not to lose". I want to see the Zips open up their bag of tricks and take some chances.

Neuter the Nits!

Your post might give some folks the impression you have a testicle fetish.

Play to win Zips.

Injure the Nits!

[johnnyzip84]

I wonder if PSU_Lions_84 will stop by this time around?

[johnnyzip84]

PSU redshirt FR WR DaeSean Hamilton named BIG co-FR POW.

The PSU WRs have good size in general. As the 'Meister has pointed out once or twice, the Zips are a bit vertically challenged in the secondary. A key issue might be how tightly the refs view the defensive efforts of the Zip corners and safetys.

[Balsy]

Penn State vs UCF complete game (all plays). For your viewing pleasure.

[lance99]

For a Zips Win, IMO, there are three keys to this game:

-Penn States motivation, or lack thereof. The just go back from Ireland and basically have a short week. Not saying that they will just throw there helmets down and phone it in. However will they even care?

-The running game, as in time management. This will be the key for the offence. As it was stated earlier in this thread, keeping the defense fresh is not a option, but a must!

-Chuck Amato. Last year, we all seen the game plan that he put together for Michigan and I expect the same. I promise you that Penn State will be watching that game from last year to see what not to do.

I actually feel really good about this one because this is a very winnable game!

[skip-zip]

Travel to Europe a week before the game is meaningless to me.

I just wish I hadn't heard that Hackenberg threw for 450 yards in a season opener.

[ohiofan1954]

Good luck this week Zips. A whole lot of people across the MAC would love to see you win including myself. Give them HELL this week.

[Balsy]

Travel to Europe a week before the game is meaningless to me.

I just wish I hadn't heard that Hackenberg threw for 450 yards in a season opener.

He threw for 450 yards, with only 1TD and 2INT. He threw for 450 yards, and they still struggled to win.

This is why I put Hackenburg as two of my keys to the game. Limit Hakenberg, force him to make mistakes, and PSU wills struggle.

[Dr Z]

The Godfather (of the draft) calls Christian Hackenberg a star-in-waiting.

[PSU_Lions_84]

Thanks for the invite, Johnny! I think UA1987's analysis is pretty good, except about Penn State's running backs. For whatever reason (probably the inexperienced O-line plus some head-scratching calls), they did not perform to expectations. I think the run attack will get extra focus in practice this week.

[PSU_Lions_84]

One of the head-scratchers kinda relates to scoring. In one series, we moved the ball to about UCF's two-yard line. Ran a couple plays and got stuffed. The next play was putting Zwinak in the wildcat, with Hack out on the flank as a receiver. Now Zwinak is a good player, but he is an elephant to Belton's gazelle. Plus, Belton was a HS QB, so at least has an idea of how to throw the ball. The play was a massacre, and Ficken came in for a FG. Obviously that was a potential 4-point diff.

Please tell me more about the strengths and weaknesses of this year's Zips' squad.

[PSU_Lions_84]

Sorry for the three-peat posting, guys, but I am remiss in not pointing you to BlackShoeDiaries.com, which is the premier Penn State sports blog. Most people there are genuinely good people who love sports (esp. football) and are interested in learning about opponents. I am PSU_Lions_84 there also, of course.

Best regards,

Mark