Hello everyone. I am sitting at home recovering from hernia surgery and really just trying to make the time past. These are my thoughts on the upcoming season game by game. I know a lot can happen between now and then but this is just for fun. Let me know what you think. The post if long but I wanted to provide some rational for each prediction
Week One- September 5th Us Vs. Temple
Temple returns all 11 starters on Defense and 8 on offense. I think with this game in Philly and being the first of the season, it could be close for three quarters of the game. But this is Temple for the love of God and we have far more talent than the Owls. State pulls away in the fourth and leave South Philly with a solid W.
31-13 PSU
Week Two- September 12th Bulls Vs. Us
Buffalo will have their hands full as new coach, Lance Leipold, leads his Bulls onto the field at Beaver Stadium. Last year the Bulls secondary allowed 8.3 yards per attempt (only 10 teams in the FBS allowed more) and needs three new starters. With that said, Hack puts on a passing clinic against the Bulls and PSU dismantles Buffalo’s secondary. This one was over before it began.
42-3 PSU
Week Three- September 19th Us. Vs Rutgers
Last year, the most handicapped team in Penn State history welcomed Rutgers University to the BG10 with another defeat which goes to show that Rutgers can change their uniforms and add a new conference logo to their field, but in the end , to Penn State, it’s just the same old Rutgers. After losing QB Gary Nova and three of their starters on their O-Line, coupled with having to replace two new starters on the D-line and one middle linebacker, Rutgers will face a steep challenge when they visit Beaver Stadium in mid-September…Oh and did I mention it’s a night game. Folks this game has the makings to be featured on a rerun of Murder She Wrote.
31-6 TTFP
Week Four- September 26th Us Vs. San Diego State
In their spring scrimmage, the Aztecs demonstrated that like Penn State, their greatest questions are at O-Line. During their spring game, the Aztecs projected starting line gave up five sacks and lacked the ability to open up any running lanes. Last season, San Diego State allowed touchdowns 66.7 percent of the time in the red zone. To make matters worse, last year the Aztecs were 111th in Red Zone efficiency in a conference that is light years away from the BG10. For the Aztecs, this game will end like it did for Montezuma.
41-10 PSU
Week Five- October 3rd Us Vs. Army
By the numbers, in 2014 Army was ranked 128th in passing, 93rd in points for, and 104th in points against. For 2015, I can’t foresee any major improvements to team personnel that would suggest that Army will be much improved. Having said that, these young men are Cadets in the finest military academy on the planet and they will fight and scrap until the very end. Penn Staters should and will roll out the red carpet for West Point.
28-10 PSU
Week Six-October 10th Us Vs. Indiana
When I graduated college, I set out on a mission to see Penn State play in every Big Ten Stadium within a decade. While fulfilling that mission, two years ago I took my dad to Bloomington to watch Penn State lose it first ever game to the Hoosiers. Meanwhile some jackass in front of us turned around at the end of the game and said “that one was for Jerry’s Kids”…. I’m not exactly sure what that he even meant but ever since then, the one team that I pulled for when they played anyone but us became just like every other BG10 team to me, not worth my time. Last year’s game was God awful but we did find a way not to lose two years in a row. IU’s two best DBs in ’14, Tim Bennett (9 pass breakups) and Mark Murphy (2 INTs), departed from the team. Otherwise not much has changed. Assuming that we are still healthy at the offensive line, I see Penn State winning easily this year.
28-14 PSU
Week 7- October 17th Ohio State VS. Us
No doubt that last year, Ohio State was the best in the land. But for one night we were better than they were head to head. Yes we lost but do the math….We win that game if it weren’t for BG10 officiating or lack thereof. Aside from our game, OSU was called for three holdings all of last year, with just one of those being flagged by a BG10 official. Mind numbing isn’t it. With that said we are just not there yet. CJF is building one hell of a team but we have some time to grow into the elite team that he has envisioned. Unless we can pull it together and our D keeps us in it, the likelihood of victory is not so likely. Hope I’m wrong!
28-10 OSU
Week 8- October 24th Maryland VS. Us
Remember when Maryland refused to shake our hands…and the beat us at home. Yea well so does CJF and he won’t let our men forget that. Maryland lost four of its six defensive linemen to graduation as well as QB C.J. Brown who was their leading rusher. Baltimore goes up in smoke again when PSU comes into town this year for revenge.
35-7 Penn State
Week 9- October 31st Illinois vs. Us
This was a game we should have won last year. A big reason we lost to Illinois last year in my opinion was wide receiver Mike Dudek. During the spring, Dudek tore his ACL and is expected to return sometime in October. Even if Dudek comes back in time, he won’t be 100%. . Also, Penn State favorite Tim Beckman is still at the helm in Illinois. I don’t know if you are like me but every time I see that man I can’t help but think what a scumbag. None the less , I think we win easily.
24-14 Penn State
Week 10- November 7th Us Vs. Northwestern
This was a game that we were never really in it at all last year. Simply put, we were beat soundly. Against other teams last year, Northwestern was vulnerable against the run, allowing more than 200 rush yards six times, and the front seven generated little pressure (17 sacks, fewest in the Big Ten). This will be an area of concentration for the Wild Cats. This is also the game I chose to travel to this year. I have a feeling this will be close and uncomfortable.
20-17 PSU
Week 11 Bye
Week 12 Saturday November 21st Michigan Vs. PSU
Really hard to predict what will happen this year with Michigan but I do think that they will be much improved under Harbaugh. There is a lot for Harbaugh to work with but the Wolverines lose their top two sackers, DEs Brennen Beyer and Frank Clark (10 sacks combined), as well as their top three tacklers for loss (Beyer, Clark and LB Jake Ryan: 35). By the time this game is played, I think both teams odds of winning will be about even. I like that this game is at home and is our whiteout because I think that we will need the extra support from the fans. I think this game is very close but we win.
17-10 PSU
Week 13 Saturday November 28th PSU Vs. Michigan State
Senior QB Connor Cook has 26 career starts. His 81.2 QBR in 2014 ranked No. 7 in the FBS, and his 8.8 ypa was No. 9. Defensively, the Spartans look poised to continue where Narduzzi left off. The Spartans bunch the cornerbacks and safeties close to the line of scrimmage so as to overwhelm the opposing offensive line. For us to have a chance here, I think we need prolonged protection for Hack so we can take our shots down field. Running against the Spartans will be a tall order and it all hinges on the health of our offensive line. Like OSU, unless we have a great game I just don’t think we are there yet where we are able to come out of East Lansing victorious.
28-17 MSU
Regular Season I predict we end up 10-2. I also predict that we will play in the outback bowl.
Week One- September 5th Us Vs. Temple
Temple returns all 11 starters on Defense and 8 on offense. I think with this game in Philly and being the first of the season, it could be close for three quarters of the game. But this is Temple for the love of God and we have far more talent than the Owls. State pulls away in the fourth and leave South Philly with a solid W.
31-13 PSU
Week Two- September 12th Bulls Vs. Us
Buffalo will have their hands full as new coach, Lance Leipold, leads his Bulls onto the field at Beaver Stadium. Last year the Bulls secondary allowed 8.3 yards per attempt (only 10 teams in the FBS allowed more) and needs three new starters. With that said, Hack puts on a passing clinic against the Bulls and PSU dismantles Buffalo’s secondary. This one was over before it began.
42-3 PSU
Week Three- September 19th Us. Vs Rutgers
Last year, the most handicapped team in Penn State history welcomed Rutgers University to the BG10 with another defeat which goes to show that Rutgers can change their uniforms and add a new conference logo to their field, but in the end , to Penn State, it’s just the same old Rutgers. After losing QB Gary Nova and three of their starters on their O-Line, coupled with having to replace two new starters on the D-line and one middle linebacker, Rutgers will face a steep challenge when they visit Beaver Stadium in mid-September…Oh and did I mention it’s a night game. Folks this game has the makings to be featured on a rerun of Murder She Wrote.
31-6 TTFP
Week Four- September 26th Us Vs. San Diego State
In their spring scrimmage, the Aztecs demonstrated that like Penn State, their greatest questions are at O-Line. During their spring game, the Aztecs projected starting line gave up five sacks and lacked the ability to open up any running lanes. Last season, San Diego State allowed touchdowns 66.7 percent of the time in the red zone. To make matters worse, last year the Aztecs were 111th in Red Zone efficiency in a conference that is light years away from the BG10. For the Aztecs, this game will end like it did for Montezuma.
41-10 PSU
Week Five- October 3rd Us Vs. Army
By the numbers, in 2014 Army was ranked 128th in passing, 93rd in points for, and 104th in points against. For 2015, I can’t foresee any major improvements to team personnel that would suggest that Army will be much improved. Having said that, these young men are Cadets in the finest military academy on the planet and they will fight and scrap until the very end. Penn Staters should and will roll out the red carpet for West Point.
28-10 PSU
Week Six-October 10th Us Vs. Indiana
When I graduated college, I set out on a mission to see Penn State play in every Big Ten Stadium within a decade. While fulfilling that mission, two years ago I took my dad to Bloomington to watch Penn State lose it first ever game to the Hoosiers. Meanwhile some jackass in front of us turned around at the end of the game and said “that one was for Jerry’s Kids”…. I’m not exactly sure what that he even meant but ever since then, the one team that I pulled for when they played anyone but us became just like every other BG10 team to me, not worth my time. Last year’s game was God awful but we did find a way not to lose two years in a row. IU’s two best DBs in ’14, Tim Bennett (9 pass breakups) and Mark Murphy (2 INTs), departed from the team. Otherwise not much has changed. Assuming that we are still healthy at the offensive line, I see Penn State winning easily this year.
28-14 PSU
Week 7- October 17th Ohio State VS. Us
No doubt that last year, Ohio State was the best in the land. But for one night we were better than they were head to head. Yes we lost but do the math….We win that game if it weren’t for BG10 officiating or lack thereof. Aside from our game, OSU was called for three holdings all of last year, with just one of those being flagged by a BG10 official. Mind numbing isn’t it. With that said we are just not there yet. CJF is building one hell of a team but we have some time to grow into the elite team that he has envisioned. Unless we can pull it together and our D keeps us in it, the likelihood of victory is not so likely. Hope I’m wrong!
28-10 OSU
Week 8- October 24th Maryland VS. Us
Remember when Maryland refused to shake our hands…and the beat us at home. Yea well so does CJF and he won’t let our men forget that. Maryland lost four of its six defensive linemen to graduation as well as QB C.J. Brown who was their leading rusher. Baltimore goes up in smoke again when PSU comes into town this year for revenge.
35-7 Penn State
Week 9- October 31st Illinois vs. Us
This was a game we should have won last year. A big reason we lost to Illinois last year in my opinion was wide receiver Mike Dudek. During the spring, Dudek tore his ACL and is expected to return sometime in October. Even if Dudek comes back in time, he won’t be 100%. . Also, Penn State favorite Tim Beckman is still at the helm in Illinois. I don’t know if you are like me but every time I see that man I can’t help but think what a scumbag. None the less , I think we win easily.
24-14 Penn State
Week 10- November 7th Us Vs. Northwestern
This was a game that we were never really in it at all last year. Simply put, we were beat soundly. Against other teams last year, Northwestern was vulnerable against the run, allowing more than 200 rush yards six times, and the front seven generated little pressure (17 sacks, fewest in the Big Ten). This will be an area of concentration for the Wild Cats. This is also the game I chose to travel to this year. I have a feeling this will be close and uncomfortable.
20-17 PSU
Week 11 Bye
Week 12 Saturday November 21st Michigan Vs. PSU
Really hard to predict what will happen this year with Michigan but I do think that they will be much improved under Harbaugh. There is a lot for Harbaugh to work with but the Wolverines lose their top two sackers, DEs Brennen Beyer and Frank Clark (10 sacks combined), as well as their top three tacklers for loss (Beyer, Clark and LB Jake Ryan: 35). By the time this game is played, I think both teams odds of winning will be about even. I like that this game is at home and is our whiteout because I think that we will need the extra support from the fans. I think this game is very close but we win.
17-10 PSU
Week 13 Saturday November 28th PSU Vs. Michigan State
Senior QB Connor Cook has 26 career starts. His 81.2 QBR in 2014 ranked No. 7 in the FBS, and his 8.8 ypa was No. 9. Defensively, the Spartans look poised to continue where Narduzzi left off. The Spartans bunch the cornerbacks and safeties close to the line of scrimmage so as to overwhelm the opposing offensive line. For us to have a chance here, I think we need prolonged protection for Hack so we can take our shots down field. Running against the Spartans will be a tall order and it all hinges on the health of our offensive line. Like OSU, unless we have a great game I just don’t think we are there yet where we are able to come out of East Lansing victorious.
28-17 MSU
Regular Season I predict we end up 10-2. I also predict that we will play in the outback bowl.
