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Started By
Message
re: Breaking down Penn St
Posted on 12/8/09 at 11:32 pm to SprintFun
Posted on 12/8/09 at 11:32 pm to SprintFun
quote:
First and foremost, don't forget you play a team and not a conference.
Amen, and Penn St. is not terribly impressive looking, on paper. However, they are a very solid team, well-coached, and would certainly be competitive in any BCS conference.
Having said that, if LSU was expected to be 100% healthy by game time, we should make short work of them, particularly our offense against Penn St.'s defense. A big IF. Our running game, wracked with injuries and currently lacking depth and/or a clear go-to guy (though Ridley certainly appears capable of being that guy) is a big question mark going into the game.
If it fails to materialize, then the key battle will be our passing game against Penn St.'s defense. The way things have been going for LSU, the game may very well hinge on one or two big plays, either defensive scores, special team scores or controversial penalties.
This post was edited on 12/8/09 at 11:33 pm
1
Posted on 12/9/09 at 6:39 am to Ace Midnight
PENN ST is still PENN ST and Papa Joe, sooo if Lsu wants to keep that bowl streak alive...they'd better come out desperate and swinging like its the game of their life....(prepared) streaks are made to be broken! 
This post was edited on 12/9/09 at 6:50 am
Posted on 12/9/09 at 9:08 am to SprintFun
This entire thread is great! 
Posted on 12/9/09 at 8:02 pm to SprintFun
Great post!! Wow!!! you should commentate for your own frickin pod cast!!!
Posted on 12/10/09 at 1:36 am to SprintFun
Great synopsis SprintFun -
This should be a great game. Vegas odds favor Penn State by 3 points. Sagarin "predictor" has Penn State by 0.5 points, while his ELO has LSU favored by 8.5 points and his "Overall" has LSU by 4.5 points. Anyone predicting a blowout by either team needs to reevaluate their position. Although a blowout (or the converse as stated by another poster "laying an egg") is certainly possible, I agree with the analysts that this should be the 2nd to the 6th best bowl game this season.....
Congratulations to Penn State for your 10 win season. Special congrats to Coach Joe Paterno for all your accomplishments to date. I remember that several years ago your fanbase was calling for your head, yet you once again adapted and your adaptations have resulted in keeping Penn State in the public's perception as one of the nation's elite football programs.
Similarly, congrats to Les Miles and the '09 LSU football team. Can't win 'em all... If you only lose to the best, you are close to the best. I can overlook Ole Miss, but this game was still a hell of a game (played at Ole Miss)....
I don't think either offense is dominant. QB's equal, RB's close, OL favors Penn State, receivers favor LSU. I give a slight edge to LSU on defense. DL favors Penn State (LSU's DE group is a liability that keeps the defense on the field for the duration of the game), LB's about equal, DB's very much in favor of LSU... Special teams favor LSU big time. I see LSU winning by 3 to 7 points.
Feel free to disagree....
This should be a great game. Vegas odds favor Penn State by 3 points. Sagarin "predictor" has Penn State by 0.5 points, while his ELO has LSU favored by 8.5 points and his "Overall" has LSU by 4.5 points. Anyone predicting a blowout by either team needs to reevaluate their position. Although a blowout (or the converse as stated by another poster "laying an egg") is certainly possible, I agree with the analysts that this should be the 2nd to the 6th best bowl game this season.....
Congratulations to Penn State for your 10 win season. Special congrats to Coach Joe Paterno for all your accomplishments to date. I remember that several years ago your fanbase was calling for your head, yet you once again adapted and your adaptations have resulted in keeping Penn State in the public's perception as one of the nation's elite football programs.
Similarly, congrats to Les Miles and the '09 LSU football team. Can't win 'em all... If you only lose to the best, you are close to the best. I can overlook Ole Miss, but this game was still a hell of a game (played at Ole Miss)....
I don't think either offense is dominant. QB's equal, RB's close, OL favors Penn State, receivers favor LSU. I give a slight edge to LSU on defense. DL favors Penn State (LSU's DE group is a liability that keeps the defense on the field for the duration of the game), LB's about equal, DB's very much in favor of LSU... Special teams favor LSU big time. I see LSU winning by 3 to 7 points.
Feel free to disagree....
Posted on 12/10/09 at 12:02 pm to Mayhawman
quote:
I look for a close game. If it starts to get out of hand we will utilze the Chavis Prevent that always keeps our opponents within striking distance.
Our offense compliments the defense and our OC will be sure to throw the ball to allow ample time for you catch back up. Crowton will surely mix in some special plays, such as the Delay (of game), the 4 Wide (all in motion at once)and the oft used Unbalanced Set (our best 10 vs your 11. We can hurt ourselves in a myriad of ways so I look for a competitive game.
Nice first post!
Posted on 12/10/09 at 12:04 pm to TaserTiger
quote:
Special congrats to Coach Joe Paterno for staying alive so long
Posted on 12/10/09 at 9:45 pm to SprintFun
first big ten fan i like
Posted on 12/11/09 at 2:07 am to drockPSU
Will be interesting, though remember last year? LSU offense not great by amazing standards, but then the Chick-Fi-La Bowl, look what happened. PSU has not played a team like LSU this season.
Posted on 12/11/09 at 8:00 am to SaintsXLIV
Bowl games between the SEC/Big X are always fun to watch. Obviously the 2 conferences with the most passion for the sport. And I also find the SEC bragging to be funny myself.
Just because OSU sucks against the SEC doesn't mean the Big X does. Even with OSU's blowout losses, the Big X and SEC are tied 4-4 since 06 in bowl games.
I hope it continues the great games that have been the norm in the Cap One bowl recently with Mich/Fla in 07 and UGA/MSU in 08.
I for one will be repping the Big X and think PSU edges LSU 24-21
Just because OSU sucks against the SEC doesn't mean the Big X does. Even with OSU's blowout losses, the Big X and SEC are tied 4-4 since 06 in bowl games.
I hope it continues the great games that have been the norm in the Cap One bowl recently with Mich/Fla in 07 and UGA/MSU in 08.
I for one will be repping the Big X and think PSU edges LSU 24-21
Posted on 12/11/09 at 9:05 am to SaintsXLIV
quote:
PSU has not played a team like LSU this season.
No, they have, and lost to one and dominated by the other
Posted on 12/11/09 at 9:06 am to SprintFun
Hey Tigers,
I'm a long time Penn State fan and just wanted to stop in and see what's going on in here.
With regard to Spirit's post, I think it's pretty accurate except for a few details.
Penn State was in control of the Iowa game until the fourth quarter when the wheels came the hell off. Blocked punt, int, bang, bang, bang, game over.
The biggest problem with Joe and big games is he likes to go in to ultra conservative mode. He wants to play the field position game and try to capitalize on mistakes.
I think if we take that philosophy and sit back against LSU, we're going to get our asses handed to us.
However, Joe in bowl games is not the Joe in conference games. He's a real old school guy (Understatement of the Year Alert!) and believes that bowl games are supposed to be fun for the kids. He usually opens up the offense and defense a bit more than usual.
With really nothing on the line, I expect him to do just that.
What PSU really needs to do is get Clark involved in the running game. Spirit is, IMO, correct about him. Clark tends to disappear in big games unless he's running. He's taken some big hits over his tenure and we've got no proven backup so they've coddled him a bit this year. I expect that to change in the bowl game.
What Penn State really needs to do vs. LSU's D is roll the pocket. If they can keep the pressure off of Clark, they'll do OK. If not, he takes the most obvious sacks you can ever imagine. What I mean is that he'll have a guy putting straight up pressure in the middle and not try to evade the sack. It's maddening. But if they get him moving on purpose, he does much better. This brings out TEs in to play and we've got two very good ones. IF we can get them involved early, it'll open things up deep.
Running? I'm very disappointed in the running this year and that has to do with the line more than anything. Royster is a very good back, but he runs in to the back of his linemen waaaay too much. The line just doesn't open up holes for him and he doesn't improvise enough to get his own yardage. If the play called works, look out. If you plug the hole? No yardage. His backup, Stephfon Green has great speed and moves. Not quite Trindon Holliday fast, but fast enough. However, he's been dinged up all year and, IMO, a step slower after putting on some bulk.
The X-Factor is Devon Smith. Now that dude IS Trindon Holiday fast. However we like to run him up the middle... Yeah. I wanna beat my head in the wall whenever I see that.
On defense, our DLine is solid, but doesn't generate enough pressure without blitzing. DT Odrick is a beast and commands a double-team, but our ends are pretty easily manned up. This means we have to bring someone to get real pressure on the QB.
I hope for PSU's sake that's Hull. Because, IMO, that and short yardage are his only strengths. He SUCKS at pass coverage and can not shed a block to save his life. However, he's pretty good at getting through the line and spooking the QB. He rarely runs them down, but he can take a QB out of his rhythem.
Most teams haven't been able to run very well against us. I don't think LSU will have a ton of success either. As Spirt said, we do have very good linebackers. Bowman and Lee are studs. Lee still has yet to make a huge impact after coming back from knee surgery last year, but he's got all the talent in the world. Bowman is a straight-up freak.
Our D backs are serviceable as are our safeties. If we can get pressure, they do well. Otherwise, they can easily get lost on double moves and more complex assignments.
What it boils down to is pressure on the QB.
I think if PSU's D Coordinator Tom Bradley can dial up some schemes to get to the QB and we can move ours out of the way of your pass rush, it'll be a great game.
If we sit back and try to play field position, we're toast.
I'm a long time Penn State fan and just wanted to stop in and see what's going on in here.
With regard to Spirit's post, I think it's pretty accurate except for a few details.
Penn State was in control of the Iowa game until the fourth quarter when the wheels came the hell off. Blocked punt, int, bang, bang, bang, game over.
The biggest problem with Joe and big games is he likes to go in to ultra conservative mode. He wants to play the field position game and try to capitalize on mistakes.
I think if we take that philosophy and sit back against LSU, we're going to get our asses handed to us.
However, Joe in bowl games is not the Joe in conference games. He's a real old school guy (Understatement of the Year Alert!) and believes that bowl games are supposed to be fun for the kids. He usually opens up the offense and defense a bit more than usual.
With really nothing on the line, I expect him to do just that.
What PSU really needs to do is get Clark involved in the running game. Spirit is, IMO, correct about him. Clark tends to disappear in big games unless he's running. He's taken some big hits over his tenure and we've got no proven backup so they've coddled him a bit this year. I expect that to change in the bowl game.
What Penn State really needs to do vs. LSU's D is roll the pocket. If they can keep the pressure off of Clark, they'll do OK. If not, he takes the most obvious sacks you can ever imagine. What I mean is that he'll have a guy putting straight up pressure in the middle and not try to evade the sack. It's maddening. But if they get him moving on purpose, he does much better. This brings out TEs in to play and we've got two very good ones. IF we can get them involved early, it'll open things up deep.
Running? I'm very disappointed in the running this year and that has to do with the line more than anything. Royster is a very good back, but he runs in to the back of his linemen waaaay too much. The line just doesn't open up holes for him and he doesn't improvise enough to get his own yardage. If the play called works, look out. If you plug the hole? No yardage. His backup, Stephfon Green has great speed and moves. Not quite Trindon Holliday fast, but fast enough. However, he's been dinged up all year and, IMO, a step slower after putting on some bulk.
The X-Factor is Devon Smith. Now that dude IS Trindon Holiday fast. However we like to run him up the middle... Yeah. I wanna beat my head in the wall whenever I see that.
On defense, our DLine is solid, but doesn't generate enough pressure without blitzing. DT Odrick is a beast and commands a double-team, but our ends are pretty easily manned up. This means we have to bring someone to get real pressure on the QB.
I hope for PSU's sake that's Hull. Because, IMO, that and short yardage are his only strengths. He SUCKS at pass coverage and can not shed a block to save his life. However, he's pretty good at getting through the line and spooking the QB. He rarely runs them down, but he can take a QB out of his rhythem.
Most teams haven't been able to run very well against us. I don't think LSU will have a ton of success either. As Spirt said, we do have very good linebackers. Bowman and Lee are studs. Lee still has yet to make a huge impact after coming back from knee surgery last year, but he's got all the talent in the world. Bowman is a straight-up freak.
Our D backs are serviceable as are our safeties. If we can get pressure, they do well. Otherwise, they can easily get lost on double moves and more complex assignments.
What it boils down to is pressure on the QB.
I think if PSU's D Coordinator Tom Bradley can dial up some schemes to get to the QB and we can move ours out of the way of your pass rush, it'll be a great game.
If we sit back and try to play field position, we're toast.
Posted on 12/11/09 at 9:48 am to RoarLionsRoar
Hey, RL...good to see you have made your way over here as well from nf.com.
You hit most of the salient points except for one, special teams.
Ugh, we suck mightily in this department. Like anOSU vs. the SEC kind of sucking.
-YTC
You hit most of the salient points except for one, special teams.
Ugh, we suck mightily in this department. Like anOSU vs. the SEC kind of sucking.
-YTC
Posted on 12/11/09 at 9:58 am to whiteyc777
To the Penn St fans, hopefully you continue your TD experience in the More Sports Board and O-T Lounge after the bowl game
Posted on 12/11/09 at 10:13 am to whiteyc777
Hey Whitey,
For whatever reason, I couldn't get RoarLions to work here so I added the extra Roar. We'll need it....
I was trying to wholly avoid any discussion about special teams as we have none.
Thanks Spirit,
I've still got a bunch of LSU friends from my days down in Florida where we'd talk about who sucked worse, UF or FSU.
For whatever reason, I couldn't get RoarLions to work here so I added the extra Roar. We'll need it....
I was trying to wholly avoid any discussion about special teams as we have none.
Thanks Spirit,
I've still got a bunch of LSU friends from my days down in Florida where we'd talk about who sucked worse, UF or FSU.
Posted on 12/11/09 at 10:20 am to RoarLionsRoar
It's spriNt
Posted on 12/11/09 at 11:07 am to Buckeye06
quote:
Bowl games between the SEC/Big X are always fun to watch. Obviously the 2 conferences with the most passion for the sport. And I also find the SEC bragging to be funny myself.
Just because OSU sucks against the SEC doesn't mean the Big X does. Even with OSU's blowout losses, the Big X and SEC are tied 4-4 since 06 in bowl games.
Speaking of comedy, how is the Big X BCS bowl record the last 4 or 5 years. How many winning bowl seasons has the conference had this decade? Now that is comedy.
Posted on 12/11/09 at 11:18 am to RoarLionsRoar
quote:
Penn State was in control of the Iowa game until the fourth quarter when the wheels came the hell off. Blocked punt, int, bang, bang, bang, game over.
In control? For two drives, yes. they outgained you in the first half. Your second quarter consisted of drives of -6 yards, -3 yards, -5 yards, and -2 yard (end half kneel down). 10-5 at half is not control when your team cant move the ball.
quote:
Clark tends to disappear in big games unless he's running.
What big games in the past two years has he not disappeared (honest question).
quote:
The X-Factor is Devon Smith. Now that dude IS Trindon Holiday fast
he runs a sub 10 100? I had no idea.
quote:
Most teams haven't been able to run very well against us. I don't think LSU will have a ton of success either.
Ohio State, NW, Iowa, Mich and Ill all put up over 150 yards gross on you guys. I understand we dont have a dynamic running game but there is a trail of modest success against your rush D this year by competent (and not) teams.
Posted on 12/11/09 at 12:19 pm to igoringa
quote:
Speaking of comedy, how is the Big X BCS bowl record the last 4 or 5 years.
If it wasn't for playing the SEC it would be even more pathetic.
Posted on 12/11/09 at 1:47 pm to igoringa
Sorry Sprint. I tend to do that.
igoringa,
I was at the game. I know control. We were controlling the game but playing it close to the vest as I said earlier in the post. Look. Iowa beat us. It wasn't flukey. But we kept playing field position with a team that thrives on playing field position. Ferentz out Paternoed Paterno.
I'm not sure what you're getting at. I'm agreeing with SpriNt. Clark is not a great big game QB. But to answer your question, vs. USC in the Rose Bowl last year. 21/36 273 2 2 and a rushing TD vs. basically a professional defense does not suck. It was our defense that got raped.
You can tongue-in-cheek me about Devon Smith all you want. No. He doesn't run a sub-10 100. Of course according to LSU's site neither does Trindan... LSU Holliday Bio Smith does, however, have comparable 55 and 60M indoor track times, running a 6.21 55 and a 6.64 60 in high school. Those are nothing to scoff at and are in Trindan's league. I always laugh this time of year when I talk about a Penn State player being fast and I'm mocked. People can run fast up here, too...
By ton of success rushing, I meant just that. I don't think LSU will be able to run the ball effectively. Your top rusher is hurt and, not to belittle him, even he wasn't exactly setting the world on fire.
I think Penn State will force LSU in to passing the ball like Ole Miss, Florida and Bama did. Then it will come down to whether we can get to your QB or not.
igoringa,
I was at the game. I know control. We were controlling the game but playing it close to the vest as I said earlier in the post. Look. Iowa beat us. It wasn't flukey. But we kept playing field position with a team that thrives on playing field position. Ferentz out Paternoed Paterno.
quote:
quote:
Clark tends to disappear in big games unless he's running.
What big games in the past two years has he not disappeared (honest question).
I'm not sure what you're getting at. I'm agreeing with SpriNt. Clark is not a great big game QB. But to answer your question, vs. USC in the Rose Bowl last year. 21/36 273 2 2 and a rushing TD vs. basically a professional defense does not suck. It was our defense that got raped.
You can tongue-in-cheek me about Devon Smith all you want. No. He doesn't run a sub-10 100. Of course according to LSU's site neither does Trindan... LSU Holliday Bio Smith does, however, have comparable 55 and 60M indoor track times, running a 6.21 55 and a 6.64 60 in high school. Those are nothing to scoff at and are in Trindan's league. I always laugh this time of year when I talk about a Penn State player being fast and I'm mocked. People can run fast up here, too...
By ton of success rushing, I meant just that. I don't think LSU will be able to run the ball effectively. Your top rusher is hurt and, not to belittle him, even he wasn't exactly setting the world on fire.
I think Penn State will force LSU in to passing the ball like Ole Miss, Florida and Bama did. Then it will come down to whether we can get to your QB or not.
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