Game #2 at Penn State Nittany Lions

[Balsy]

Hey PSU_Lions_84

I joined the blackshoediaries.com so I could post...apparently not all SBNation accounts are transferable...so I have to wait a day to post.

Anywho, I guess the main thing I wanted to convey with my comments about Hackenberg (and I think I'm one of the few on here who watched the whole game Saturday live) is that I'm very impressed. I think he has the potential to rip us alive. I also see the potential for Hackenberg to make bad decisions. He is a sophomore after all, it's expected to have some growing to do. And he made a handful of bad decisions, under very little pressure. He shouldn't have thrown the second interception, I have no idea what he was looking at.

I don't think our defense is better than UCF's. But everyone is already assuming that. The Zips have had a knack for coming up defensively against better teams in games that we shouldn't stand a chance (Tennessee, Michigan, Louisiana, NIU, Toledo). The problem with the Zips is that they have been inconsistent throughout a season, and have lacked depth/experience. A lot of my enthusiasm comes from this being the first year where we really appear to have solid depth and talent at DL, DE, LB and DB. CB is a concern of mine.

Kyle Pohl isn't going to shoot the lights out, But he is capable of moving the ball enough to make the game interesting. RUNNING GAME is my concern of our offense, though for a large part (like PSU) I don't think our's is gelling yet.

UCF's offense was one-dimensional until QB Justin Holman was in the game. Had O'Leary gone with Holman from the start, I don't think PSU wins that game.

[LZIp]

appreciate the insight PSU_Lions

[PSU_Lions_84]

Balsy, I'd say you were spot-on about Hack. I think the kid is great and has a high ceiling, but don't think he is "there" yet. That is both good and bad, of course, for us and opponents. His growth will obviously depend on his surrounding cast -- something a few Lions fans have not yet come to accept. He was heavily dependent on Allen Robinson last year, and while I think we have plenty of talent at WR/TE, it's going to take Christian a few games not to scan the field for ARob as his go-to guy.

But, imho, Pohl is the key to the game. If our D-line can be disruptive, you guys will suffer. Holman did move the ball pretty effectively, but he also had linemen and blitzers in his face a lot. I think I'm going to disagree that UCF developed a multi-dimensional game when Holman came in -- the Knight rushing game did not dramatically improve, IIRC. BUT, Holman exploited our secondary a lot better than had DiNovo. If we can pressure Pohl like we did DiNovo (which can also throw off the rushing game), then I think Penn State wins by 10 - 14 points. Obviously the same is true for your defense/our offense. In the end, I'm going completely homer and say Penn State wins by 10.

Thoughts/counter-arguments?

P.S. Balsy and anyone else who visits BlackShoes, I hope you find the BSD folks very respectful. I'll be disappointed if they turn into ass-hats -- we're saving that for Rutgers and Maryland, I think.

[Dr Z]

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

Ireland a 'Distraction' to coach Franklin and some team members.

They landed in Pittsburgh about midnight Saturday evening, and then bused to State College soon afterward. That resulted in a bedtime approaching 3 a.m.

“The hardest part was waking up in the morning,” cornerback Jordan Lucas said. “I was awake at 7 a.m. My body still felt like it was in Ireland.”

But, imho, Pohl is the key to the game. Thoughts/counter-arguments?

I think the Zips secondary will have a lot to do with the outcome. I am confident in our front seven, our secondary has not been tested the way it will this Saturday.

I will feel better about Pohl if we get another offensive lineman eligible, but even if we don't the Zips run enough quick hit stuff, he should be okay. Good luck, thanks for stopping in.

[Balsy]

Balsy, I'd say you were spot-on about Hack. I think the kid is great and has a high ceiling, but don't think he is "there" yet. That is both good and bad, of course, for us and opponents. His growth will obviously depend on his surrounding cast -- something a few Lions fans have not yet come to accept. He was heavily dependent on Allen Robinson last year, and while I think we have plenty of talent at WR/TE, it's going to take Christian a few games not to scan the field for ARob as his go-to guy.

But, imho, Pohl is the key to the game. If our D-line can be disruptive, you guys will suffer. Holman did move the ball pretty effectively, but he also had linemen and blitzers in his face a lot. I think I'm going to disagree that UCF developed a multi-dimensional game when Holman came in -- the Knight rushing game did not dramatically improve, IIRC. BUT, Holman exploited our secondary a lot better than had DiNovo. If we can pressure Pohl like we did DiNovo (which can also throw off the rushing game), then I think Penn State wins by 10 - 14 points. Obviously the same is true for your defense/our offense. In the end, I'm going completely homer and say Penn State wins by 10.

Thoughts/counter-arguments?

P.S. Balsy and anyone else who visits BlackShoes, I hope you find the BSD folks very respectful. I'll be disappointed if they turn into ass-hats -- we're saving that for Rutgers and Maryland, I think.

I think the supporting cast of WR/TE will come in time, granted the OL can give Hack (I love that nickname!) enough time to scan the field.

I'd agree that Pohl is a key to the game. I guess the general keys to the game is Defensive Play and QB play. Which QB will be more efficient (limiting turnovers, TDs and moving the ball) and which defense will put the QB out of sync.

If all things were equal, I agree that PSU beats Akron by 10. If the Akron defense can put consistent pressure on Hack early, I can see a 4-point swing either way. If the Zips Win (not likely) it will be by 4-points or less. A PSU win would be by 4-10 pts I think. Of course now that I say that...watch me be off by 21

From what I read most people seem to be rather respectful. Unlike the trolling Maryland and Rutgers fans that come out of the woodwork.

[johnnyzip84]

Dr Z and I have the same concern about the secondary. The height of PSUs WRs/TEs (#18 is 6' 7"!!) presents a real challenge for UA. It's going to be very difficult UNLESS the Lions help the Zips with lack of focus and concentration. I also think Amato will probably show some blitzing he didn't show last week to try to force some errors by Hack (I'll join the party).

[Dr Z]

Dr Z and I have the same concern about the secondary. The height of PSUs WRs/TEs (#18 is 6' 7"!!) presents a real challenge for UA.

The last time I went to a PSU game, I was lucky enough to have field passes. During warmups I was standing next to Andrew Quarless. I said the same thing, followed up by "I hope the Steelers draft this guy." He destroyed anyone in a Zips uni that day.

[mes102]

When watching this, I can tell Penn State will be more prepared for us than Coach Hoke and Michigan were last season. Starting at 2:15 is the Akron talk

[PSU_Lions_84]

18 on offense is Jesse James, and he IS a beast! 6'7" and close to 270 pounds -- as a tight end. I've seen him run through would-be tackles -- kinda like Yukon Cornelius and his dogs ganging up on the Bumble. (Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer, if anyone needs a reference.) But, as you guys are saying, all that WR/TE talent is moo (a BlackShoeDiaries meme) if Hack does not have time to throw. (18 on defense is Deion Barnes, who was B1G freshman of the year season before last; he had a sophomore slump last year, but we are expecting him to have a good year this season.)

Here's something to look for: Zwinak (#28) and Belton (#1) are both pretty good blockers; Lynch (#22) is not quite there yet. So odds are good it is a true running play if Lynch is in.

Dr Z, the Steelers don't seem to draft many Penn Staters, which has been a mystery to me for some time now. I guess that is a separate discussion, but I would be interested if anyone has any ideas or theories.

[zippy5]

Dr Z, the Steelers don't seem to draft many Penn Staters, which has been a mystery to me for some time now. I guess that is a separate discussion, but I would be interested if anyone has any ideas or theories.

No offense to your team, but they haven't really had too many successful NFL'ers of late to draft

[PSU_Lions_84]

That's probably pretty fair, Zippy, on the surface, but if you dig a little deeper we've put some strong D-linemen such as Jared Odrick, Devon Still, and Jordan Hill into the pros. We've also produced some LBs the Steelers whiffed on - Bowman for San Francisco has torn it up for a few seasons. Could it be the players coming out of Penn State in a particular season are just not matching the Steelers' needs for those years -- we are graduating D-linemen when they need WRs, for example?

[ZippyforPresident]

Thoughtful article in USA Today about the offseason tragedies that struck Akron football and the Bowden family, and now the triumph the Zips seek this season. http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/mac/2014/09/03/college-football-akron-zips-terry-bowden-jeff-bowden/15028799/

[johnnyzip84]

Thoughtful article in USA Today about the offseason tragedies that struck Akron football and the Bowden family, and now the triumph the Zips seek this season. http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/mac/2014/09/03/college-football-akron-zips-terry-bowden-jeff-bowden/15028799/

Excellent article - thanks for posting. I really believe the Zips are even stronger as a team for having to go through these off-season tragedies.

Here is an article on Harrisburg's own Jawon Chisholm, written by a PA blogger. I don't think I was aware of the extent of the challenges he faced while growing up in the state capital. JC7, TS67, DE54 and the rest of the PA Zips have to be extremely motivated for Saturday's game.

[Balsy]

It appears that weather may be a factor in Saturday's game:

50% chance of rain. 77 degrees, 73% humidity.

[K92]

Excellent article - thanks for posting. I really believe the Zips are even stronger as a team for having to go through these off-season tragedies.

Here is an article on Harrisburg's own Jawon Chisholm, written by a PA blogger. I don't think I was aware of the extent of the challenges he faced while growing up in the state capital. JC7, TW67, DE54 and the rest of the PA Zips have to be extremely motivated for Saturday's game.

How is it possible that Zips fans are just now hearing this Jawon Chisholm story? Unbelievable. Cue GP1 for a lazy journalism quote.

[Dr Z]

EA of the PD writes that the Zips are ready for PSU at noon.

"We need to run better,'' he said with an eye toward Saturday's noon game at Penn State (1-0) on ABC. "Plays have got to run for five (yards), not just for two. We need to pop a few more." Bowden noted that really good spread offenses might consider "balance" an 80-20 mix of pass and run. But the difference, Bowden said, is when those teams run, they are gaining 7.0 yards or more per carry. Until the Zips can start doing that, "I'm not going to beat my head into the ground (running the football)."

How is it possible that Zips fans are just now hearing this Jawon Chisholm story?

According to an Akron writer the Akron Zips are not the number one news story of the Akron paper, the Browns are. So tune in for another exciting story on who the new QB will be. Rinse, and repeat for the last two decades. At the very least the writer that was in love with Mount Union football has left, so you don't have to read those stories anymore.

BTW, the Chisholm story was well written.

[Zipgrad01]

http://www.pennlive.com/pennstatefootball/index.ssf/2014/09/big_ten_football_roundup_athlo.html

Athon writer predicts Akron upset

[mes102]

http://www.pennlive.com/pennstatefootball/index.ssf/2014/09/big_ten_football_roundup_athlo.html

Athon writer predicts Akron upset

I wonder what connection, if any, the guy that picked Akron has with the MAC. It just seems weird seeing a "Big Ten" writer picking all 3 MAC teams to beat Big Ten teams in the same week. That's all. He has CMU beating Purdue, NIU beating Northwestern, and Akron beating Penn State. Could be a big week for the MAC!

[GP1]

How is it possible that Zips fans are just now hearing this Jawon Chisholm story? Unbelievable. Cue GP1 for a lazy journalism quote.

DrZ stole my thunder.

If a book was written about the Cleveland sports media, some of the chapters would be:

1. Lebron James: A Love Story

2. I'm Bored

3. Waiting For Terry Pluto to Tell Me How to Think

4. I Take Cleveland Fans Serioiusly: But I Can't Remember Why.

5. Bill Belichick Isn't Nice To Me So He Is a Bad Coach

6. Study By Winking Lizard Bartender Proves LBJ Returning Will Save the Cleveland Economy

7. Free Chicken Wings in the Media Room vs. Developing A Good Story: Ranch or Blue Cheese

I could go on. The Cleveland media is so lazy they can' t think of anything better to do than pander to fans by repeating their stupid ideas back to them in the hopes of getting more clicks on their websites. It's an insult to those few Cleveland fans who managed to not go insane between when the Browns left Cleveland and then came back. Quite honestly, I blame a lot of it on the fans of Cleveland teams and their constant desire for the next "savior" to come along to save their teams. It is the single greatest driving force in all of the nonsense.

[ZippyRulz]

James Franklin Shows Joe Paterno-Style Football Never Coming Back to Penn State

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2181851-james-franklin-shows-joe-paterno-style-football-never-coming-back-to-penn-state

[ZachTheZip]

http://www.ohio.com/blogs/ua-zips/university-of-akron-zips-blog-1.277207/zips-football-rt-tommy-brown-ruled-eligible-for-season-1.519897

[LZIp]

Hell yes

[akzipper]

Akron 10

PSU 38

[PSU_Lions_84]

If the weather affects the passing game, I figure a pretty low score. 20 - 14, maybe. And I have to favor the Nittany Lions, of course. You guys appear to have some good athletes, but even though our numbers are depleted, I'm going be dazzled by star ratings and go into the game believing we have more "good" players than you do. Sorry!

[PSU_Lions_84]

Akron 10

PSU 38

akzipper, I just don't see that. Akron's passing game will test our secondary if the weather stays nice; our passing attack will likewise test theirs. This game will end up being ten points or less apart.