Renewed expectations for Penn St.
I am in agreement with most people in the MGoBlog community, and pretty heart broken about the loss on Saturday with a ton of questions lingering in my head.
That said, I would like to take a step back and think about this for a minute. After the MSU game it looked like we were going to get eaten up by the Iowa defense and to think we'd be close was pushing it. But our team responded, and almost won the game even though they coughed the ball up consistently and had many many other momentum killing mistakes.
I know I may be getting ahead of myself at this point, but I don't think a Penn St. win seems as difficult as it may have after the MSU game. Our team looked a lot more in sync in a much more difficult environment. Iowa-PSU and Iowa-M are two different games, but given the circumstances, and the way Iowa appeared to play at about the same level during both those games, I'm feeling pretty good about that Penn St. game in two weeks. Add to the fact that we're at home and a double digit win doesn't seem too unreasonable.
Now I don't actually expect us to dominate Penn St., but I sure as hell would put money on us winning. I would not have said the same thing after our trip to East Lansing. Again a tough loss at Iowa, but I think we grew a shiiiit ton and it will pay off as the season progresses.
October 12th, 2009 at 4:32 PM ^
We will beat Penn State. Each of our last two games were on the road against better teams than PSU.
Book It......and taking UM +5.5 (which is the current line for the game) is easy fucking money, people.
October 12th, 2009 at 4:35 PM ^
This is what I'm thinking!
(other than Arby's, of course)
October 12th, 2009 at 4:41 PM ^
I expect that line to come down over the next couple weeks...esp after PSU struggles to barely beat Minny at home.
October 12th, 2009 at 4:53 PM ^
Hey Minny will be the second best team they will have played so far. Well, maybe Temple.
Better get the +5.5 right now, then.....although I should say the line was -3 last week, so maybe the oddsmakers dont know what to make of the whole Tate injury situation.
But, Michigan wins straight up, regardless.
October 12th, 2009 at 5:46 PM ^
game appeared lop sided by the final score, Penn State was having loads of trouble moving the ball against Michigan in the first have, the offense just came to screeching halt and the D could not hold up any longer after a while. Our defense will be solid against PSU, what they do well is what we defend the best. If we score, Penn State is a winnable game, very winnable
October 12th, 2009 at 4:41 PM ^
Having Molk and Brown back will help tremendously. Darryl Clark is a good passer, and Evan Royster is good too, but if we can establish offensive rhythm early on, I think we've got a good shot. Having Forcier up to full strength is a necessity.
October 12th, 2009 at 6:48 PM ^
Because if the team doesn't lay a complete egg on Saturday, it can be a quasi-bye week. Let the nicked up players get healthy, play the 2nd string as much as possible, this team should be full strength for PSU. Plus we should be able to start scheming for PSU now, as I assume we won't need any new tricks for the Hornets...
October 16th, 2009 at 9:47 PM ^
I don't have enough points to start my own topic, so I'm bumping this to discuss Molk's return. Specificially, I wanted to hear people's thoughts on the timeframe of Molk's return in light of the statement that "Molk probably won't be back for another few weeks" that appeared in Angelique's notebook article on Wednesday (it's the first link under mgo.licio.us or can be found here: http://www.detnews.com/article/20091014/SPORTS0201/910140338/1131/SPORT…)
I think a lot of people like SwordDancer (and me) were cautiously optimistic that Molk would be back for Penn State, but a few more weeks would keep him out until Purdue. It surprises me that something as significant as as update on the status of Molk's return hasn't been discussed more, and perhaps I missed it, and forgive me if I did, but I couldn't find it.
October 12th, 2009 at 4:54 PM ^
If anything I'm feeling better about a win against PSU more than ever since our Iowa loss. I'm not too impressed with Penn State yet, and until they prove me wrong I really just can't see Michigan losing to them.
October 12th, 2009 at 4:57 PM ^
Michigan win's this game. After seeing our defense handle Iowa last saturday I have a great feeling Michigan will pull the upset off at home. And who knows what this momentum could do?! Games and upsets like a Penn State win at home might give Michigan the momentum and confidence to beat OSU at home! Big games and wins always turn seasons around. It's called the inner beast released!
October 12th, 2009 at 5:06 PM ^
It seems that predictions based on how we played last do not carry over to the next opponent. When we think we are going to put major numbers on them because of a bad defense (MSU) we get outplayed; when we think we are going to have a tough time running the ball (Iowa) we outperform our opponent and put up 3 rushing TDs. IME, we have been too inconsistent to gauge this team going forward (minus Del State). I will say that i do see improvement on the defensive side - lots of improvement, which gives me more confidence in what they will be able to accomplish as a team, especially when the offense stalls from here on out.
October 12th, 2009 at 5:12 PM ^
Penn State was one game that we were in for awhile. We actually led 17-14 at the half before imploding.
In watching the Iowa/PSU game a couple weeks ago, I was left thinking that they all looked a bit slow-ish. I think our speed helps us big time in this game.
Really looking forward to "welcoming" the Nittany Lions back to the newer, louder Big House.
October 12th, 2009 at 5:51 PM ^
I see more match-up problems with Penn State. Right now, teams that pass the ball effectively scare the bejesus out of me and Penn State probably has the second best passing offense we're going to see this season. Iowa was a daunting opponent, but I thought their run-based offense would at least attack the stronger part of our defense, and give us a chance to keep pace, which it did. I wish I had jamiemac's confidence about this game, but I can't quite get there. I hope I'm very wrong.
October 12th, 2009 at 6:26 PM ^
Good point, especially since Iowa has a pretty good secondary. But really -- I'll chalk it up. We are going to give up 2-3 big passing plays every game. I'd already pencil in Clark for about 250-300 yds passing and 2-3 TDs. We should effectively limit their ground game and hope the offense clicks at home against a very good performing defense (but against very UNDERwhelming competition). Iowa's RBs put up 188 yds rushing (they're not even good right?) when PSU was at home at night. Signs point to us being able to move the ball.
October 12th, 2009 at 9:01 PM ^
PSU is pretty balanced offensively and currently sitting 4th in pass yards per game in the Big 10. That being said, they are only 104 yards from being 7th in the conference. They lost their top three WRs from last year and currently have thrown 12 TD passes with 7 INTs.
For what it's worth, MSU and ND have superior passing offenses and Iowa averages only 6 yards less passing per game.
October 12th, 2009 at 6:11 PM ^
beat PSU if the Nitts are caught looking ahead, its happened before.
October 12th, 2009 at 6:46 PM ^
You're right but I really hope that doesn't happen. We don't want them coming in all fired up making up for a disappointing loss. And I hope they don't spend more than a week practicing for us.
October 12th, 2009 at 6:37 PM ^
The D needs to watch that Iowa-PSU film, they may have the 2nd
best pass offense, but other than Iowa, they haven't played
anyone. The home field will help too.