Who is PSU?
The current line for PSU is Michigan +4.5. Betting trends are 82% for Michigan to cover. Although I don't gamble, I do find that Vegas typically has a pretty good grasp on the tangibles and evaluating teams on paper.
My question: Who is PSU this year?
They've rode a strong pre-season poll to a solid 5-1 start but they were dominated by Iowa, their only truely tough opponent. The same opponent that Michigan played much better. Although you can't read too much into that as different teams match up differently, I do think that PSU is not even close to the team they were last year.
I am hoping for a replay of Minor Rage in the first half of last year but for a full 4 quarters. I think this is a very winable game for Michigan, especially since it is in the Big House.
I am hoping to see the Tate from the ND game and not from Iowa. If he is healthy and hungry and if Minor Rage is in full effect, I see Michigan pulling this one out.
Anyone who has watched PSU this year, please give your analysis as I have not seen them outside of the Iowa game.
October 19th, 2009 at 6:03 PM ^
They are my bitch!
October 19th, 2009 at 7:28 PM ^
On Saturday they will be the bitch to 110,000 plus. WE OWN PENN SHHHTAAATE!
October 19th, 2009 at 6:03 PM ^
Odrick is a total beast, to go along with Bowman and Lee.
Clark has struggled this year, and I think the key to their decline on offense is the OL. Not sure PSU fans really appreciated how much easier that OL made things last year.
They're a beatable team, but I'm concerned we won't be able to move the ball on them. Could be a bit of a slugfest.
October 19th, 2009 at 6:10 PM ^
I have not started breaking down college hoops yet.
I have no idea what Portland State U has this year, or if they stand any chance at giving Gonzaga a run for their money in league play.
October 19th, 2009 at 6:28 PM ^
Nobody really knows what PSU brings to the table. As usual, they played an extremely weak non-conference schedule. In the B10, they beat Minnesota and Illinois handily, but they were manhandled at home by Iowa.
To their credit, in the games they were supposed to win easily, they were dominant. This contrasts with Michigan, which had to struggle to beat Indiana. I wouldn't put much stock in the fact that Michigan played Iowa closer than Penn State did.
The Nittany Lions return a veteran QB, and have a much more solid defense than Michigan. Given all of that, they certainly deserve to be favored. We'll see what kind of game they bring on Saturday.
October 19th, 2009 at 6:27 PM ^
You obviously don't know what you're talking about. They beat the crap out of Akron, Syracuse, Temple, AND Eastern Illinois.
Seriously, I agree completely with the OP, PSU has shown nothing to suggest that they're capable of beating a solid Div I team and I think that we've definitely shown that we qualify as at least that.
October 19th, 2009 at 6:29 PM ^
we are, alex
October 19th, 2009 at 6:32 PM ^
I thought this was going to be about PSU's signature cheer. One year (1998?), our students responded: "You are . . . Penn State."
October 19th, 2009 at 6:40 PM ^
I'm putting a lot on Michigan
October 19th, 2009 at 6:57 PM ^
Don't bet on your own team. You get too swayed by emotions. PSU will be our toughest opponent to date. They absolutely dismantled Minnesota. The final score doesn't do it justice.
October 19th, 2009 at 7:24 PM ^
When a college student says he's "going to put a lot on Michigan", it means he's betting a case of PBR.
October 19th, 2009 at 7:29 PM ^
Natty Light in my experience.
October 19th, 2009 at 7:41 PM ^
I think Michigan matches up well here.
I love our D-Line vs their O-Line. Graham will have another field day.
I dont think this will be our toughest game of the season I feel ND, MSU and Iowa are all better teams than PSU. I do think this is far and away the best offense PSU will have seen to date. It will put a lot of pressure on them, and, unlike last year, its not one dimensional, nor hampered by the QB situation.
I like our wideouts vs their secondary. I love their front seven, but I loved Iowa's front seven as well and the offense still was able to play physical and move the ball on the ground. Robinson and Wegher combined for a lot of yards in their game vs PSU. We bring Minor and Brown to the table, a more explosive duo.
Tate plays better at home than he did in those road starts. I also think Denard Robinson is going to have a positive impact in this one. Gut feeling. But PSU cant handle his speed and he will get in there and get us some points, just like he did in games vs WMU, ND, IU and Iowa.
Take the points if you must, but you wont need them.
October 19th, 2009 at 8:58 PM ^
we favored by a couple over ND? I think it will be very loud. Penn State's veteran qb should be able to handle it, but you never know.
If Tate can have a solid game, at home he should, and so long as the line can play like they did at Iowa I think we've got a chance to rush for 250. If so, we should win by 6 or 7 points.
Despite a good question, about who is "we are" penn state, I think the game comes down to who are we, and can we execute. Wisconsin will be much the same.
October 19th, 2009 at 11:21 PM ^
Solid D for sure, but that offense is meh.
I haven't been impressed with any of their wideouts, their o-line is mediocore and Clark can be rattled.
The only thing that worries me about their offense is the speed of their running backs.
This game is winnable for Michigan, the key will be avoiding turnovers.