PSU vs. Minnesota

PSUFAN · Post by **PSUFAN** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 1:08 pm

This is a big game for PSU. A win over the Gophers will be a significant achievement...they haven't been able to do it since 1998.

PSU's once solid OL has been turning slowly to cheese since about 1997. At this point, there is not much on that front to indicate improvement. A hallmark of this matchup has been Minny's dominance in the trenches. I believe that will continue, win or lose.

For years under Paterno, when he has had teams that could not physically dominate opponents, he has scaled back the playbook and just tried to punt his way to victory. Losses have become so commonplace for the team that he finally recruited some legitimate wideout talent and stepped aside for his assistants to bring in a gameplan.

Now PSU has Derrick Williams and Justin King - legit blue chip skill talent. Also, at long last, we're seeing the use of 4 WR sets, which can help the OL perform better by taking defenders out of the box.

Michael Robinson is a talented football player, but he's not much of a QB. He has made some perfect throws in games, but for the most part he's inaccurate, he only watches one receiver, and he puts the ball on the carpet.

However, as a 5th year Sr., he's definitely a great leader for the team. He does keep his cool despite all of his mistakes. If he can limit the mistakes a bit, there's an opportunity for him to win games if he can get the ball to King and Williams (and to some other WR talent that has stepped their game up, answering the challenge and following the lead of the blue chippers) occasionally.

I'll be ready to believe if they can beat Minny. Mason has outcoached Paterno badly since he became HC in 1997. A victory would signal that there has been some real clearcutting, and new growth. I believe PSU will cycle back up again at some point, the only question is...is it possible under Paterno? This game is a big test.

PSUFAN · Post by **PSUFAN** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 1:56 pm

Speaking of Heisman hype, Maroney has attracted more national attention after his fast start and iron-man performance (46 carries for 217 yards) against Purdue. Asked about Heisman speculation, Maroney repeated his season-long stance: It's nice, but he doesn't pay attention to it.

"I really don't care about the Heisman Trophy," he said. "I just want to go out there and help the team win a Big Ten championship."

Mason said he sees the attention as a "benefit" to his program.

rack him

Killian · Post by **Killian** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 3:06 pm

The anti-Cedric Benson. I like that kid a lot. He is a tough, tough runner. Reminds me of Bettis in college.

MgoBlue-LightSpecial · Wed Sep 28, 2005 3:06 pm

PSUFAN wrote:
Speaking of Heisman hype, Maroney has attracted more national attention after his fast start and iron-man performance (46 carries for 217 yards) against Purdue. Asked about Heisman speculation, Maroney repeated his season-long stance: It's nice, but he doesn't pay attention to it.

"I really don't care about the Heisman Trophy," he said. "I just want to go out there and help the team win a Big Ten championship."

Mason said he sees the attention as a "benefit" to his program.
rack him

Sounds like he just knows how to play the protocol game with the media.

PSUFAN · Post by **PSUFAN** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 3:09 pm

Perhaps...but I think some audacious chest-thumping might be more immediately effective in that regard. Maybe the kid's just got his head screwed on straight.

MgoBlue-LightSpecial · Wed Sep 28, 2005 4:03 pm

On a side note...Maroney is unstoppable in NCAA 2005. If you like playing non ranked games online, like I do, Minny is about as good as it gets (if you can play any sort of defense). Wisconsin too.

Ken · Post by **Ken** » Fri Sep 30, 2005 12:59 pm

What I don't get, PSU, is how the majority of the PSU fanbase thinks the Nitts are going to roll the gophers. History, especially recent, means nothing to them.

Minnie's gonna control the line of scrimmage. No doubt about that. It will be a chore to control Maroney... an unlikely occurrence, if you ask me. If PSU's gonna get beat at the line AND have to compete against a 100+ yd. rusher, good night Nitts.

I really think it's really a matter of whether or not the Lions can keep pace with Minnie's scoring. If PSU can continue to open up the offense, thus allowing for more open space to the middle of the field ('sup screens and slants) AND bend but don't break a few times (read: FG's rather than TD's), they've got a chance. But my prediction is that... well, let me put it this way... if I were participating in the pick'em, Minnie would be covering in my book. I hope to hell I'm wrong. Should PSU win without being dominated at the line, it would be a major springboard/turning pt.

PSUFAN · Post by **PSUFAN** » Fri Sep 30, 2005 4:09 pm

Until proven otherwise, I'm going to assume that PSU cannot match up with most of the Big 10 in the trenches. I was not impressed with the play of the OL against any of the opponents we've faced so far. Perhaps "Legolas" Smith will make a difference...perhaps not.

This game's all about keeping turnovers to a minimum, playing less prevent zone D, and getting the ball to the talented frosh WRs.

I've enjoyed your posts over at FOS.
<---wickerman

Ken · Post by **Ken** » Fri Sep 30, 2005 4:28 pm

Oh, I know you're wickerman.
I really haven't posted over there much... or ANYWHERE for that matter. The ubiquitous idiotic posting over ther has spurned a minor upturn in my posting frequency.

Terry in Crapchester · Fri Sep 30, 2005 6:49 pm

I feel bad for Penn State. Just when it looked like they had finally started to turn the corner, they run into a buzzsaw.

From what I've seen of Minnesota this year, I don't see any way Penn State can win this game. Recent history certainly doesn't bode well for them. And this looks to be a better Minnesota team than we've seen recently.

Vito Corleone · Post by **Vito Corleone** » Fri Sep 30, 2005 10:14 pm

Killian wrote:The anti-Cedric Benson. I like that kid a lot. He is a tough, tough runner. Reminds me of Bettis in college.

El Ced is also the #5 all time leading rusher. The fact that he wasn't invited to the Heisman ceremony only makes the award less legit.

The fact that he used it as motivation is not that big a deal.

Cicero · Post by **Cicero** » Fri Sep 30, 2005 10:20 pm

The Heisman isnt a career reward. I thought he was the best RB in the land but the only RB represented in NY had better stats than him and was playing in MNC game.

RedHerring · Post by **RedHerring** » Sat Oct 01, 2005 6:40 am

I actually think PSU has a pretty good chance in this game.

A)PSU is at home

B) Brian Cupito is the achilles heel of the gophers in that he reads defenses like Lawrence Phillips's (now former) girlfriends choose men. If PSU can somehow miraculously slow down the gophers running game , and force #3 to throw up the ball more, this works to PSU's advantage.

C) The gophers have a pretty solid starting 11 on defense for a change, but did You notice how Purdues wideouts just plain out positioned minny's Db's and Lb's for a lot of good catches last week?

looks to me like cousin EEL could be cryin' in yuppie beer before the end of this game..could go either way..

Diogenes · Post by **Diogenes** » Sat Oct 01, 2005 6:56 am

If PSU can somehow miraculously slow down the gophers running game , and force #3 to throw up the ball more, this works to PSU's advantage.

Except that isn't going to happen.

RedHerring · Post by **RedHerring** » Sat Oct 01, 2005 6:59 am

Diogenes wrote:If PSU can somehow miraculously slow down the gophers running game , and force #3 to throw up the ball more, this works to PSU's advantage.

Except that isn't going to happen.

Probably not, but never say never....

PSUFAN · Post by **PSUFAN** » Sat Oct 01, 2005 1:40 pm

EELBOY...now there's a blast from the past. I definitely had him in mind when starting this thread...

I'm interested in seeing what PSU's defensive approach will be here. Many PSU fans have been decrying the soft zone that has ruled the day so far. I think if Bradley continued to hamstring the defense, this game will be unwinnable. They have to stack the box in this game. PSU's CBs Zemaitis and Phillips have gotten a lot of respect - this is the game where they have to a) be relied on by the staff, and b) prove themselves equal to the challenge.

Keep LM under a buck fiddy, and get into Cupito's dome...and PSU might win. Like I said, this is a HUGE game for PSU - in a lot of ways, the season's sitting in the balance.

PSUFAN · Post by **PSUFAN** » Sat Oct 01, 2005 2:02 pm

worth a chuckle:

Bobby42 · Post by **Bobby42** » Sat Oct 01, 2005 2:34 pm

See ya next week.

Sincerely,

The Ohio State Buckeye Defense

P.S. The offense might be there, too.

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Sat Oct 01, 2005 2:52 pm

Unfortunately I have to play PSU's defense for my fantasy league today. They have been rather disappointing so far considering they were strong last year(pathetic O lost games) and have a ton of starters back. Now that they actually have an O it seems like the D is playing soft, not-to-lose. Hopefully they bring back the aggression for Maroney today.

I like Minn's chances in this game, after finally beating somebody worth a dang in Purdue their confidence will be at a new level. As an old Neb fan it is cool to see a good ol' bust-em-in-the-mouth offense.

The Seer · Post by **The Seer** » Sun Oct 02, 2005 12:24 am

So PSU, if the season turns out to be a "success" will that be enough for JoPa to exit with dignity and turn over the reins??????

Laxplayer · Post by **Laxplayer** » Sun Oct 02, 2005 12:56 am

seer....one could only hope, however if they have a good year he may think he can still actually coach and sign an extension well into his 100's.

Jimmy Medalions · Post by **Jimmy Medalions** » Sun Oct 02, 2005 1:01 am

PSU got some love on Game Day today when they talked about the best offenses of all time...

Jimmy Medalions · Post by **Jimmy Medalions** » Sun Oct 02, 2005 1:08 am

Ya that one.

buckeye_in_sc · Post by **buckeye_in_sc** » Sun Oct 02, 2005 1:35 am

^^^^

FUCK at least it lasted 20 years Archie...

FUCK...

Ken · Post by **Ken** » Sun Oct 02, 2005 2:38 am

The Seer wrote:So PSU, if the season turns out to be a "success" will that be enough for JoPa to exit with dignity and turn over the reins??????

No.
JoePa's date of retirement is not a function of wins and losses.

peter dragon · Post by **peter dragon** » Sun Oct 02, 2005 4:39 am

Believe the Heupel wrote:The Ki-Jana/Collins/Ingram team?

fuck Ki-Jana

Sincerly
Bengal Fans every where

peter dragon · Post by **peter dragon** » Sun Oct 02, 2005 6:10 am

Believe the Heupel wrote:Did you know that his name means "Young warrior?"

Because I didn't.

Even though they talked about it EVERY FUCKING GAME that year.

I'd be watching Nebraska-Colorado and they'd just pop in with "Hey, did you know that Ki-Jana means 'young warrior?'"

I thought it meant "BUST!"

or "one who was paid lots of money, yet produces very little"
or "one with weak knees"
or...what ever... fuck Ki-Jana! and fuck Penn State! :twisted: and fuck my uncle who is a penn state grad who decided to call me and tell me how good they looked. fuck em. I hope OSU hangs 60 on em! on my scale of teams I hate they rank #3
#1 Michigan
#2 Tennenessee
#3 Penn State
#4 MSU <-- funny how the longer I post on this board the more I dislike this team
#5 any one who plays michigan.. (except for I enjoyed watching them beat MSU)

but thats just me.