RugtersAl Has Spoken - Penn State on Upset Alert!!

Nihilist Rodgers · Nov 10, 2017

https://rutgers.forums.rivals.com/threads/im-placing-penn-state-on-upset-alert.133718/

Penn State isn't Clemson. Penn State isn't Alabama. Penn State isn't Ohio State.
But Make no mistake about it. Penn State is a good program, that has CLEANED OUR CLOCK in recent years.

39-0 in 2016
28-3 in 2015

Here are 2016 Highlights:

Here are the 2015 Highlights:

I think the clip starting at 20 seconds of the 2015 highlight, best epitomizes Penn States superiority for most of Rutgers/Penn States playing history. Nothing fancy, Penn States linemen just lineup and overpower us, making our defenders look like they're playing on roller skates.

Expect Penn State to try to do more of the same, Saturday.

In this interview, James Franklin lays out Penn States Objectives:

"Be more physical in the running game"
"Defensively, playing with passion and pride and flying around like we have"
"Special Teams obviously being a little more consistent"

it wouldn't surprise me to see Penn State run the ball 50+times, if they are successful doing so, like they did against Iowa, where they ran 51 times for 295 yards.

But we don't have to go too far, to see a competitive Rutgers team play Penn State. We were competitive with them, a mere three years ago.

Here are the 2014 Highlights:

Notice how much more competitive we were with Penn State, thanks to line play. That year, we looked like we belonged with Penn State.

I think this year will be similar to 2014, because there isn't as large a talent discrepancy in the lines, that we've seen in recent years. Penn States linemen are solid and technically sound, but they're not elite.

There's no Nick Bosa or Rashan Gary to harass our QB on every play, but they are #3 in the Big Ten in sacks with 28
PSU OL has given up 23 sacks, #9 in the Big Ten, whereas Rutgers is #1
PSUs lines have been hit by injury
- Left Tackle Ryan Bates
- Defensive End Ryan Buchholz
- Defensive End Torrance Brown

Bates and Buchholz are listed as questionable for tomorrows game.

If Bates is unable to go, look for Will Fries, who is a redshirt freshman from Cranford, NJ, starting for Ryan Bates at left tackle against MSU. GoPSUsports.com says he's played in 9 games with five starts:

http://www.gopsusports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/will_fries_1019751.html

As for DE, Redshirt Freshman Shareef Miller played 78 snaps vs Ohio State and 80 snaps vs MSU

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports...e-shareef-miller-james-franklin-20171108.html

Sophmore Kevin Givens started at MSU

http://www.gopsusports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/kevin_givens_975789.html

While Penn States defensive line has seen a dropoff in performance, they have excellent
linebackers, who are especially good at shedding blocks, and stopping opposing backs. Their LB corp is a key competitive advantage vs. Rutgers.

Their starters are:

MLB Jason Cabinda
WLB Manny Bowen
Koa Farmer

But what really makes Penn State formidable, is their offensive skill players:

Trace McSorley could be the best QB in college football and leads the Big Ten with 2,452 passing yards
Saquon Barkley, who has been extensively mentioned as a Heisman Candidate, is #3 in the Big Ten in rushing yards with 864, to go along with averaging 56 yards receiving per game; he leads the big ten in all purpose yards with 195.7 yards/game
DaeSean Hamilton is #5 in the Big Ten in receiving yards with 606 yards
Tight End Mike Gesicki along with Receivers Juwan Johnson (brother of rutgers george johnson), DeAndre Thompkins, and Saeed Blacknall form a formidable receiving corp

I expect Penn State to try to showcase Saeed Blacknall, given the media opportunities they've given him this week.

http://www.collegian.psu.edu/football/article_9dc826f2-c5bd-11e7-917e-9ff76f4f2dff.html
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports...nall-rutgers-commit-signing-day-20171108.html

While Penn State lost standout corner John Reid to injury for the season, corner Amani Oruwariye is tied for 2nd in Big Ten Interceptions and is third in Big Ten passes defended.

On paper, this looks like another blowout victory for Penn State. But thankfully paper doesn't play the games, players play the games, and I'm excited because this is the first time, we've had a legitimate opportunity to defeat Penn State in three years. Because of their lack of pass rush, Penn State has given up:

328 passing yards to Ohio State
403 passing yards to Michigan State

Though they fell short, losing to Penn State 21-19 earlier this year, I think Iowa gives us the template to beat Penn State. We need to throw for close to 200 yards just like Iowa.
Gio can make the short to intermediate throws and allow our playmakers to make a play:

Janarion Grant, our best wr, listed on game notes depth chart, and has an opportunity to earn an NFL opportunity with a huge game

http://www.scarletknights.com/documents/2017/11/6//17RUnotes_PennState.pdf

Jerome Washington (57 yards receiving vs Maryland)
Raheem BlackShear (16.6 yards per catch)
Hunter Hayek (32 yards receiving vs Nebraska)
Dacoven Baily (12.4 yards per catch)

Given our assets, we are capable of throwing for 200 yards.

We will also need a big game from Gus "The Bus". Akrum Wadley of Iowa had 80 yards rushing and 75 yards receiving vs penn State. Hoping Gus can produce similar numbers, though its going to be tough. But he'll also have significant help from Edwards, BlackShear, and Josh Hicks. I'd love to see us run for at least 200 yards, though its gonna be tough.

But the most important unit on the field for us, Saturday is the defensive line, and their performance will be key to the outcome of the game:

Sebastian Joseph, 305 lbs, has his last go at Penn State; dominated the last two years, he has his best chance at revenge. 7 tackles at Maryland, and should be especially active at Penn State
Kevin Wilkins, 306 lbs, our best lineman, needs to penetrate Penn States backfield
Jon Bateky, 300 lbs, 5 tackles, .5 sacks and .5 TFL at Maryland
Kemoko Turay, must be allowed to rush the passer if Penn State starts its redshirt freshman at left tackle

Our defensive line played well in the 2004 game, but hasn't played well since. Looking for a great performance tomorrow. Barkley will get yards, but we need to make him work for them. If we can hold Barkley and Co, below 200 yards rushing, we should have a chance.

LBers will also need to come up big.

Trevor Morris (12 tackles and a sack vs Maryland)
Deonte Roberts (12 tackles vs Michigan)
Ross Douglass (6 tackles vs Purdue)

To beat Penn State, Rutgers is going to need turnovers, as PSU LOVES to throw the ball, and that's where the secondary comes in:

Kiy Hester tied for 3rd in the Big ten in interceptions with 3
Juwuan Harris has 2 ints
Damon Hayes (9 pass breakups)
Isiaih Wharton (7 pass breakups)

With Rutgers playing lose, and Penn State carrying the burden of high expectations, I think conditions are optimal for a Rutgers Victory.

Rutgers 24
Penn State 21

BBrown · Nov 10, 2017