I normally have one focused subject each week. This time I realized I have a bunch of thoughts about the state of the Nittany Lions as they begin conference play. Here they are in no particular order.
Both QBs really miss Brett Brackett. I never thought I’d say that about a guy that only saw significant time his senior year, but he was a possession receiver with good size and great hands. I don’t recall too many times this year when a WR bailed out McGloin or Bolden with a great catch.
Silas Redd is going to be fun to watch. The real pleasant surprise is that Beachum and Dukes have looked strong too. Even without Stephfon Green, this is the deepest PSU TB group since when? LJ, Easy and McCoo? Enis, Archie and Pitts?
As for the quarterbacks, McGloin was just what the team needed last year. They were young and tentative. He brought a swagger that got them a few victories they wouldn’t have had otherwise. This year they need a QB. ONE QB. I thought Bolden was the guy to get the job. He has a higher ceiling than McGloin, but I can’t make that argument now. He has been outplayed the last two weeks. Although, after charting all pass plays last week, it is clear that McGloin has benefited from play-calling. Last week, three of his first four passes were play action. Three of Bolden’s first four were screens and a five-yard out pattern. McGloin was asked to throw on third down three times, none of which was longer than 3rd and five. Still, McGloin has moved the offense better and deserves more time.
The defense is light years ahead of where they were last season. They are confident and aggressive. Last year, they looked slow and unsure of themselves. It didn’t help that the few play makers they had battled injuries. Hopefully, the loss of Mauti isn’t the start of similar problems this season. Without him, they need Devon Still to continue playing like a beast. He has dominated from the DT spot as Odrick and Kennedy did before him.
Two of the next three games should be wins. Thank God for football in the Hoosier state. The Iowa game could swing the season either way. Lose it? They may be lucky to get to .500. Win it? You may be looking at a 7-1, 4-0 team when Illinois comes to town.
Lastly, I’m over the whole JoePa injury storyline. At the Temple game, he stayed in the press box at halftime because it was too far of a trek to get to the locker room and back. How much coaching are you actually doing if you aren’t even going to address the team after the first thirty minutes? JoePa IS PSU, but I hope more and more that he steps down after this season.
Games of the Week
Nebraska @ Wisconsin - History in Madison. It is the Huskers first league game as a member of the Big Ten Conference. Wisconsin has won its first four games by an average of 49-9. The Badger defense ranks in the top ten in three of four major categories. The Huskers meanwhile, have been inconsistent defensively. QB Taylor Martinez is capable of making a big play at any time, but he is also capable of making a mistake that swings the momentum the other way. This game is huge for Wisconsin and the conference. Can the new kid beat the defending champ on their field when they have BCS Title Game aspirations? I think the Badgers give Big Red a taste of what is to come... a longer debut season than they anticipated. Badgers win 27-17.
Alabama @ Florida - Something has to give here. Alabama is 3rd in the BCS in rush defense. Florida is tied for fifth. The Gators lead the SEC in rushing with 259 yards per game. Bama is second with 230.8 per game. This may be the Tide’s toughest road game of the year (Auburn is still likely in the top spot). Alabama is not as explosive offensively as they have been as recently as last season. Richardson is a game breaker, but so are Demps and Rainey. The Swamp gives Florida an edge, but I like Bama to pull it out with a late FG 24-21.
Clemson @ Virginia Tech - Clemson is 4-0 with consecutive wins over Auburn and Florida State. In the those wins, the Tigers amassed almost 1,100 yards of total offense. while converting 23 of 35 third down conversions. QB Tajh Boyd leads the ACC with 13 TDs and 1,255 yards. The Hokies have yet to face a serious threat with wins over Appalachian State, East Carolina, Arkansas State and Marshall. Clemson winning back to back big games was rare. Three in a row? I can’t see it. Hokies bring them back to reality 23-20.
No comments:
Post a Comment