Temple, who went 6-6 last year and lost to PSU on Nov. 15th last year, 30-13 is a decent opponent. They return a ton of talent but so does PSU from that same team last year. In fact, close to only ten players from the starting 44 players last year won't be available to play Saturday. Temple is a quality program coached by a quality staff, but PSU is a better program with better players up and down the field. If PSU plays a clean game, this should be a solid win to start off the year. Last year, we played in the middle of our worst run (going 2-6 at one point). This was one of our best rushing games (254 yards) but passing was bad (112 yards passing with 2 INT's). After being tied 3-3 at the half, a 38 yard run by Lynch kind of broke it open. Defense played well but the majority of T's offense came from a 75 yard TD pass. Without that, T would have had only 170 total yards. Overall, a very sloppy game with 8 total turnovers. For two well coached teams, I don't see this happening again. Thoughts:
Temple is a good team. But I see PSU being physically dominant and feel we will win with a similar spread as last year.
- Last year's first game was in Dublin. This was great for the program but, when scheduled it was not anticipated that we'd have a new staff. The logistics of this game was quite a challenge for the new staff. Fortunately, it was just as challenging for UCF who was unexpectedly trying to establish a new QB after losing Bortles to the NFL early. After the game, flying back from Dublin, limited practice time too. I always felt like the staff was fighting up hill in terms of time available for game prep and in consideration of ongoing injuries all of last year.
- This should be a new season. I look for a much more complex and much more crisp offense. Last year's offense seemed to be limited to about ten plays, I look for a lot more this year.
- Defense should be awesome. I love the D-line. At linebacker, love Wartman and I feel like Cabrinda is going to be the next awesome PSU linebacker. Secondary is going to be physical, fast and deep.
- Offensively, the line (obviously) is the key to the season. I have great fears about Paris Palmer due to his physical build. I suspect that they will move a tweener (guy too big for DE, too small for DT) and bull rush him. The rest of the players will be improved. But the RT is the key to the line, and this is our biggest challenge. I am surprised they didn't flip the LT and RT to have our weakness at RT for a right handed QB.
- Look for Temple to keep seven on the line. They will continue to bring 5 or 6 every play and try to stuff the run game, confuse the blocking and put pressure on the QB. PSU's defense will be to attack the perimeter. This means bubble screens, end arounds, and jet sweeps. This defense will also be vulnerable to quick runs where the RB can get through the first level and then get into the secondary. A couple of these would force T to play a more traditional defense. T is betting the line blocking will be confusing so this is a big key to the game.
- In addition, T will play their CB's tight on our WR's thinking that their rush will mitigate the time their CB will have to stick to our WR. This year, many of our WR's are over 200 lbs and fast. Chucking them at the line to disrupt their pattern will be challenging. In addition, we've got a couple of burners in Thompkins and Polk to stretch the field. If the line can provide a little time, there cold be some big plays.
- I look for Gesicki to be huge this year. He simply stood out at the blue/white game. he just looks like the best athlete on the field. He reminded me of the days watching Arrington; he just looked the part better than everyone else.
- I know everyone is pumped about the true freshmen class. It will be interesting to see how Franklin roles them in and out during the game depending upon how it progresses. It will be interesting to see how they use them as the year moves on. Clearly, Barkley is going to be a big part of the offense and that is going to be fun to watch.
- That brings us to the kicking game. I am afraid we are going to have a "ficken" season; meaning his first season where we could kick a FG to save our lives. Julius will be fun to watch as he has a strong leg and is "unique". Punting will be just as suspect. Its honestly hard to believe that our kicking could be this weak. This is very, very scary and could suck the life out of this team if we start missing FG and shanking punts. Both kickers will be on a short leash.
- In KR, we finally have some depth to staff these teams. However, we are very young. The returners are all Soph and Fresh. Look for some turnovers. On the plus side, big, fast and powerful. Should be exciting to watch as long as we don't turn it over. Its hard to be worse than we were last year in the coverage and return games (while placekicking was a strong suit).
Temple is a good team. But I see PSU being physically dominant and feel we will win with a similar spread as last year.
