McCord is a first year starter. The only really good defense they have played to-date is ND - especially against the pass. McCord was held well below his average season Passing Yardage and Completion Percentage in the game. Harrison was held to 3 catches for 32 yards and was not a massive offensive factor. duhO$U was held to only 17 points.
Here is the thing though, that game was @ND in Primetime, this game is @TheShoe at Noon. PSU and Diaz are going to crowd the LOS and go after McCord (stop the run, put the game on McCord and go after him). If duhO$U has early success against our D - it could be a long day. It will build his confidence @home.... crowd will become a factor, etc...
Conversely, if PSU's defense stops duhO$U's offense early and gets to McCord, it is going to shake his confidence and make him press (at this point in time, he does not know what he's going to get from PSU's Defense - first time he's playing them. What happens early is going to have a big impact on his psyche).
Should be a good game and like they say, "Why they play the game.". Personally, I think the match-up "duhO$U Offense vs PSU Defense" favors PSU, but the game is on the road (not just on the road, @TheShoe) and is a Noon start - neither of which has been historically good for PSU. The betting line suggests the game is more-or-less a toss-up outside of home-field advantage.... very difficult game to call one way or the other.
Here is the thing though, that game was @ND in Primetime, this game is @TheShoe at Noon. PSU and Diaz are going to crowd the LOS and go after McCord (stop the run, put the game on McCord and go after him). If duhO$U has early success against our D - it could be a long day. It will build his confidence @home.... crowd will become a factor, etc...
Conversely, if PSU's defense stops duhO$U's offense early and gets to McCord, it is going to shake his confidence and make him press (at this point in time, he does not know what he's going to get from PSU's Defense - first time he's playing them. What happens early is going to have a big impact on his psyche).
Should be a good game and like they say, "Why they play the game.". Personally, I think the match-up "duhO$U Offense vs PSU Defense" favors PSU, but the game is on the road (not just on the road, @TheShoe) and is a Noon start - neither of which has been historically good for PSU. The betting line suggests the game is more-or-less a toss-up outside of home-field advantage.... very difficult game to call one way or the other.