Normally,I would give A&M a big advantage. Not only are they ranked higher than us but they have a lot of experience in the NCAAs. That experience is always a big plus in handling the hype, the pressures, the media demands on time, the crazy fans.
And often the team making its first appearance in ten years or more is just happy to be there and may not be as motivated. It’s like a first time Super Boel team being just happy to be there.
But this Penn State team is different. It is very senior laden meaning they all know it’s their one and only shot. Plus, many of these guys took a long and winding road having changed schools several times to get there. That kind of sacrifice and determination is difficult to quantify .
Not saying they will make a deep run. They have been given a difficult bracket starting off with A&M and then probably Texas. Just saying they have heart and it will be a cat fight.