T1B

This is a HUGE game for PSU. PSU has lost the last 6 to UM.
Recruiting has been a bitter struggle between the teams. Just about every top flight PA kid lists UM and PSU as competing favorites...quite an accomplishment for UM.

PSU has been fortunate that they haven't played UM the past two years, because the record would have been 0-8. This year, the Lions have an improved team, and are coming in ranked in the top 10.

I think that the PSU kids have their heads on straight, and are not tking their recent accolades too seriously. Paterno is probably working hard on that, but also there is some senior leadership in Robinson and Zemaitis that will help in that regard.

UM is definitely backed into a corner, though, and will fight like mad. They lack no motivation in this contest.

Paterno himself cannot outcoach the UM staff. This year, I believe he won't have to, because he has confidently turned the keys over to Bradley and Hall, the coordinators.

PSU took the air out of the ball and sat on a lead against OSU. No such strategy will work against UM, IMO. Big blue will stay competitive in this game until the end. PSU has to bring a creditable effort on offense, or they'll lose. Robinson needs to pass and pass well, and when the UM defense can be made to respect the WRs, the running game has to be successful.

The key to the game IMO is the success of the PSU offense. If they can move the ball, I like PSU's chances.

This will be a tough environment for PSU - we'll see what effect that has on the team. So far the only road game was played and won in front of a Northwestern crowd that numbered a whopping 23k. Road crowd adversity comes this week in much bigger fashion.

At this point, I'll toss out a prediction:

PSU: 35
UM: 31

If anyone knows of available tickets for this game, or if the chances of purchasing a ticket prior to the game are good, let me know.

I heard Paterno called off an official visit for some blue chip recruits last Saturday, possibly turning them off. Had I been a recruit and at that game, and saw that sea of white, packed in with 80,000 other screaming nuts on top of that student body, and watched PSU pull it off against OSU, I'd have signed on the dotted line.

According to Joe in today's press conference, they got 4 or 5 verbals this past weekend that will be announcing later this week.

They cancelled the official visits, and there was a lot of worry over that...but they had a bunch of unofficial visits. I know some of the officials were mad, and at least one of them crossed PSU off his list - but I think it was the right decision to focus on the task at hand

What's the difference between an official and unofficial visit? Simply paying for it? They could've just stuck them in the stands somewhere and let them enjoy the game. That would've been enough.

a quick google:

Official Visits

An official visit by a prospect is a visit financed in whole or in part by the institution he/she is visiting. A prospect may take up to five (5) paid official visits during his/her recruitment. A prospect may make only one (1) such official visit to any particular school.

Prospects may begin taking official visits as of their first day of classes for their senior year in high school.

During an official visit (which may not exceed 48 hours), a prospect may receive round-trip transportation between home (or his/her school) and the institution’s campus. The prospect (and his/her parents) may also receive meals, lodging and three complimentary admissions to campus athletics events.

For more information on Official Visits, see the NCAA Guide for the College Bound Student Athlete which can be found at http://www.ncaa.org.

Unofficial Visits

An unofficial visit is a campus visit made at the prospect’s own expense. A prospect may visit an institution’s campus at any time (except during a recruiting dead period) at his/her own expense and there is no limit to the number of times the prospect may visit unofficially. In men’s basketball, prospects may not make unofficial visits during the month of July.

I hope we will be up for this game. Honestly, UMfan has reason to believe that all 3 losses were winnable. This is not a horrible team. Plus we've had PSU's number the last six mtgs.

PSU's offensive speed is scarry, especially with us hurting in the defensive secondary. The bigguns up front need to pressure the LOS all day and not give Robinson all day to pick them apart. At the same time the LB's need to contain Robinson on the scrambles (see OSU and UT footage).

On offense it's simple. It's time for the o-line to sack up. This is Michigan. Sub-100 yards rushing against Minnie is un-acceptable. These boys need to play with some heart and start opening some holes for M.Hart. As for Henne (and the O-coordinator) THROW THE BALL DOWNFIELD! Too many flat passes and out patterns. I need to see some passes going N to S. With Avant, Breaston, and Manningham, it's doable.

I like our odds. I guess we're a home-dog.

UM-27
PSU-24

GO BLUE!!

Just keep winning Lions......

Cantafio/Henne/PSU etc.

:brad:

Interesting read. Thanks bro.

You're welcome, man. Enjoy the game!

[gameface]EAT YOUR OWN SHIT, WOLVERINE CUR!!!!![/gameface]