Three For Thursday [Zips @PSU]

[Dr Z]

Discuss your answers below. 

[Dr Z]

 

 

[UA1987]

Yes, Penn State is going to swarm our running attack. I would come out throwing, then move the game plan into the run once they adjust. Someone needs to step up with the loss of Wolf. By the way getting Wolf (4 year player) injured in camp is inexcusable. Some coach or knucklehead DB ought to be made to run back punts or get in the I and run ISO's into our defense to pay for that.       

Edited August 31, 2017 by UA1987

[K92]

Discussing my uninformed answers below:

 

Zips lose by 32 or less.  I think the Nits jump on the Zips quickly and put the game away early.  Akron will pad stats and score a couple times in garbage time while Penn State looks ahead to avenge the 2016 loss versus Pitt.  42-10

 

Zips rush for 130 or more.  The Nits will stuff the run when it counts but their 3rd team will give up some yards and scores.  Kinda repeating what I said above.

 

Akron will get 2 or 3 fumbles, sacks or interceptions.  No justification for this pick.  Shot in the dark.

 

Looking at the votes cast so far, I would say Zips fans' are pretty much in agreement on how this game is going to go.  Where are the extreme views from both fringes?

[Dr Z]

IMO, the Zips have to run the ball effectively early in the game. They are going to get, and take, a few sideline shots downfield when they get the one on one they like on the outside. The defense will have to show up big and have five or more sack/int/fumbles to help out the offense. Tough task with the talent PSU has on offense. Good day to run the ball, cloudy and a cool 59 degrees. Go Warren go!

 

[Section210Zip]

1. with blind sided fandom i have to speak a Zips win into existence. 2. This one was difficult. Ball is going to get his 100 but depending on the flow of the game and if we are playing catch up how many time will we be throwing it. .... 3. to be in this game we need some big plays from the D. I think 4 to 5 is achievable. To be in this game we need to get a few takeaways though. 

 

I'm not sold on Penn St. Their season last year was very weird and up and down for an 11-3 team.    

[zipsoutsider]

Usually the optimist, I feel as though this is going to be ugly. Franklin wants this as a statement win. 

[zippy5]

1 hour ago, zipsoutsider said:

Usually the optimist, I feel as though this is going to be ugly. Franklin wants this as a statement win. 

Quite the opposite imo. Franklin wants to show as little as possible to get by and not have the book out for the rivalry game next week.

[Dr Z]

54 minutes ago, zippy5 said:

Franklin wants to show as little as possible to get by and not have the book out for the rivalry game next week.

I lean toward this way of thinking. With a Heisman trophy candidate in your backfield, I hand the ball left, hand the right, hand the ball left, and mix in a play action once in awhile. I would make the Zips defense prove they can stop a simple game plan and tackle Barkley. I'm not opening up my playbook for this game unless the Zips force them into a game well into the second half. With the talent the Nittany Lions have on offense, they can beat a lot of teams with multiple game plans. 

[kreed5120]

This is going to be ugly. There is no escaping that.

[Ham]

I have a players attitude. Zips win. For that to happen, we need to rush for more than 130, and get those 6 combined big D plays. I'm counting on PSU to come in with an attitude, and the Zips with a chip on their shoulders. The Lions will be looking ahead giving us a chance to stay with them. Once we taste success, we won't be denied.

[ZipsVoice]

I think it's going to be a closer game than most think, but still a 3 score win for PSU.  Ball will run the ball well, but they will tall out in the red zone, hence his big yardage but losing.  The Defense will play solid, but I don't look for PSU to turn the ball over more than once.  Two sacks....

[zipsoutsider]

1 hour ago, ZipsVoice said:

I think it's going to be a closer game than most think, but still a 3 score win for PSU.  Ball will run the ball well, but they will tall out in the red zone, hence his big yardage but losing.  The Defense will play solid, but I don't look for PSU to turn the ball over more than once.  Two sacks....

I think red zone, particularly within the 10 will be interesting to watch. I like what they did with Chapman and MTV (when healthy) in those settings last year and the trick that gave Tommy the score in the Potato Bowl. 

[K92]

13 minutes ago, zipsoutsider said:

I think red zone, particularly within the 10 will be interesting to watch. I like what they did with Chapman and MTV (when healthy) in those settings last year and the trick that gave Tommy the score in the Potato Bowl. 

[Balsy]

Zips come out early, keep the score low and frustrate PSU much like they did against Michigan several years ago.  The Stadium grows quiet as the first quarter ends with the Zips in the lead.  Zips win on a last-play drive and this goes down as the greatest victory in the history of Zips Football.  At the end of the game the Zips will drag the carcass of the vaunted, overrated, #6 Ranked Penn State, to display for all to see at InfoCision Stadium on September 8th...and many more years to come.

Fans who were at the game, will stay for hours to take photos of the day the Zips beat Penn State.  

Fans who watched the game at their local watering holes will have to stay a little while longer, because they had...a few...more than they intended.

The Media shall weep, for what are we to do now that a no-buddy has taken down a top "dynasty" team?  How can we gerrymander and scheme our system inorder to prop up teams to guarantee that they will be eligible for the College Football Playoffs?  

 

Of course, I'm a homer.  To hell with saying the Zips are gonna lose.  The Zips Ain't lost crap yet!  GO ZIPS!

 

And just incase I forgot to say; GO ZIPS!


 

Edited September 2, 2017 by Balsy

[Zipmlady]

Go ZIPS????

[K92]

1 hour ago, Balsy said:

Zips come out early, keep the score low and frustrate PSU much like they did against Michigan several years ago.  The Stadium grows quiet as the first quarter ends with the Zips in the lead.  Zips win on a last-play drive and this goes down as the greatest victory in the history of Zips Football.  At the end of the game the Zips will drag the carcass of the vaunted, overrated, #6 Ranked Penn State, to display for all to see at InfoCision Stadium on September 8th...and many more years to come.

Fans who were at the game, will stay for hours to take photos of the day the Zips beat Penn State.  

Fans who watched the game at their local watering holes will have to stay a little while longer, because they had...a few...more than they intended.

The Media shall weep, for what are we to do now that a no-buddy has taken down a top "dynasty" team?  How can we gerrymander and scheme our system inorder to prop up teams to guarantee that they will be eligible for the College Football Playoffs?  

 

Of course, I'm a homer.  To hell with saying the Zips are gonna lose.  The Zips Ain't lost crap yet!  GO ZIPS!

 

And just incase I forgot to say; GO ZIPS!


 

[K92]

This is me if the Zips win.

[PSU_Lions_84]

Good morning, Zips fans! Hope you are well and safe. Keep praying and supporting our Gulf Coast folks; they will need us for years to come.

 

If I were Coach Bowden, I'd come out and test the Penn State pass defense early, to see if that will loosen up the Lion front seven. Keep in mind that that front seven has several new starters. If Akron can force the LBs into coverage, it could open some running lanes.

 

For the Zips defense, I don't know what to say. Lion fans believe our offensive line has been improving, which in theory makes life easier for the RBs and mobile QBs. I think Barkley is going to gash the defense a few times, then maybe Franklin will sit him while Sanders/Robinson/Allen get their carries. (Have no idea if Franklin thinks about "Barkley for Heisman" or not; Joe was never one to push for individual accolades.) This scenario is probably especially true if it's raining and chilly. Let Barkley get hit a couple times to knock off the rust, and then hold him out until/unless needed. There is talent with the WRs and TEs, but some of the WRs need more better focus. Godwin and Allen Robinson were not necessarily the most talented receivers during their respective times at Penn State, but they played with laser intensity. Gesicki basically re-invented himself between his sophomore and junior years, and was hugely productive last year as a result. It will be interesting to see who, if any, of the current WRs has decided this is their year. If it's one of the big guys like Irvin Charles or Juwan Johnson, it could be a long day for the shorter DBs.

 

Watch for Miles Sanders on kicks. He came close to busting a few last year. It's been awhile since Penn State has returned a kick for a TD; statistically we are due.

 

Wish you guys (almost) the best. Appreciate your continued graciousness during my visits here. Here's hoping for an injury-free game that is entertaining for us fans.

 

84

[Dr Z]

Only two Zips fans knew how this one would turn out, @zipsoutsider and @ZippyforPresident. Congrats guys. 

 

Honorable mention: @kreed5120