Nice win for our Lions but, to be honest, I’m still not sure how I feel about this team. Actually, I feel pretty strongly that the defense is good, really good. I’ve been impressed with a number of things thus far. First, very few mental breakdowns. Second, the tackling has been outstanding- I rarely hear “so and so breaks a tackle”. Both the first and second teamers on D have done a solid job. Luketa is playing fast—he’s not just fast, he seems to understand the game better this year, his anticipation has been great and he’s doing a fine job at both LB and DE. The safety play has been much improved, what a difference a coach can make. I’m forgetting more than I’m remembering but suffice it to say, I think the defense will keep us in every game this year… but here’s where I think the jury is still out. I can’t get a feel for the offense yet. We were certainly better yesterday than we were last week— the performance appeared to be a continuation of the 2nd half versus Wisconsin, and I liked what I saw from Cain and Lee at RB, but there’s just something that’s nagging at me that doesn’t make me feel warm and fuzzy about things… at least not yet. Obviously, there were a lot of good things yesterday afternoon, hopefully continued improvement will reveal itself this upcoming Saturday v. Auburn. Now on to the results from the Ball State game.
First, a good number of people made solid picks this week, too many to mention. However, the cream always rises to the top (no, @lionlover, this is not an invitation to take a swing here haha), There were 3 who predicted the final margin of victory, but none who nailed it perfectly. The top 3 this week:
1. @Battista52 garnered top honors this week with a prediction of 48-17, Congrats on being this week’s top dog.
2. (tie) @Ryan Snyder/BWI Staff and @psurock379 tied for the second spot with each also predicting a 31 point victory for the Nittany Lions, 38-7. Ryan’s pick, I’m sure, has @Coultr77 seeing red *grin.
And last, but not least,
3. @henrymale with his 30 point win prediction, 43-13. Frankly, while not exact on the margin of victory, missing by just 1 point on matching the exact final score should probably put henry first this week.
Others also came quite close so without further ado, here’s this week’s Honorable Mention:
One last thing I wanted to point out, 4 prognosticators nailed Penn State’s point total so special recognition goes to:
“Offense still trying to feel their way between run/pass mix. Reserves on PSU defense give up a late score to make score closer” True dat.
“Ball State was looking forward to PSU in their first game and the PSU players will be looking forward to Auburn. So, this game will be a lot closer than most think, but PSU has better talent. Talent will prevail” Yep, we definitely have better talent, and it showed.
“I learned my lesson” Prob my favorite of all this week LOL
“I don't think BS scores a td vs this defense. Maybe when the 3rd/4th stringers get in” good call.
“Ball State was looking forward to PSU in their first game and the PSU players will be looking forward to Auburn. So, this game will be a lot closer than most think, but PSU has better talent. Talent will prevail” well, you got the talent part right anyway *grin*
“…I hope we can make those pesky PATs to get to 35” 5 for 5 on PATS, and 3 for 4 on FG attempts- not bad, eh?
“Can’t wait for Kitty Kat @Ryan Snyder/BWI Staff and Eckert (hasn’t earned a tag or nickname) to share their predictions” shot taken but @Ryan Snyder/BWI Staff got the last word… for this week, this battle is not over (bold prediction here, or not haha)
“Ball State has been preparing for this game since their bowl victory over a top 25 team. 18 starters return including the core of a top-notch defense and their QB. The head coach can smell a second MAC championship and a good showing will make him a ‘hot coach’ for a power 5 job and a huge salary. Expect a dogfight with PSU winning a squeaker. 24-20” While I disagreed, I admire the well-thought out post… it’s easy to take shots after-the-fact.
“A disjointed offense once again, but chunk plays carry the day” Need some help here, was the offense disjointed? I say yes and no. Not many chunk plays but I liked the fact we had longer drives, helped keep the D fresh and a bit more rested for Auburn next week.
“Gork Nice thread” Ah, thanks, I’m mickey… not sure how I feel being confused with Gorki LOL
“Roberson throws his first career TD pass and PSU wins…” Spot on, great prediction here!
… and that’s all on the Ball State win, folks. Now let’s get ready for the whiteout and a 3rd straight win!
First, a good number of people made solid picks this week, too many to mention. However, the cream always rises to the top (no, @lionlover, this is not an invitation to take a swing here haha), There were 3 who predicted the final margin of victory, but none who nailed it perfectly. The top 3 this week:
1. @Battista52 garnered top honors this week with a prediction of 48-17, Congrats on being this week’s top dog.
2. (tie) @Ryan Snyder/BWI Staff and @psurock379 tied for the second spot with each also predicting a 31 point victory for the Nittany Lions, 38-7. Ryan’s pick, I’m sure, has @Coultr77 seeing red *grin.
And last, but not least,
3. @henrymale with his 30 point win prediction, 43-13. Frankly, while not exact on the margin of victory, missing by just 1 point on matching the exact final score should probably put henry first this week.
Others also came quite close so without further ado, here’s this week’s Honorable Mention:
- @Lion Son/Husband/Father 45-13
- @MikeDerukey 45-13
- @1000_ OaksLion 42-10
- @I am Ironman 48-16
- @JECINCO 38-6 and
- @shox 30-3
One last thing I wanted to point out, 4 prognosticators nailed Penn State’s point total so special recognition goes to:
- @cackman06psu
- @db90
- @@Ptomaselli And
- @tullfan68
Now on to the DumbAss award… yes, singular, and it’s kinda disingenuous as @WideOutU is using reverse psychology to give us the edge… congrats on being a DA and thank you for your efforts from all us Penn State Fans, fw would volutarily choose to be a perpetual DA
.
There were a few quotes from the picks this past week that, in hindsight, you all might find interesting and/or amusing… The first is 100% self-serving and absolutely shameless because it comes from me:
“we’ll score on 3 of our first 4 drives in the first half…” This, of course, came true haha!
“We will run the ball well and score a defensive TD” great call here.
“Offense still trying to feel their way between run/pass mix. Reserves on PSU defense give up a late score to make score closer” True dat.
“Ball State was looking forward to PSU in their first game and the PSU players will be looking forward to Auburn. So, this game will be a lot closer than most think, but PSU has better talent. Talent will prevail” Yep, we definitely have better talent, and it showed.
“I learned my lesson” Prob my favorite of all this week LOL
“I don't think BS scores a td vs this defense. Maybe when the 3rd/4th stringers get in” good call.
“Ball State was looking forward to PSU in their first game and the PSU players will be looking forward to Auburn. So, this game will be a lot closer than most think, but PSU has better talent. Talent will prevail” well, you got the talent part right anyway *grin*
“…I hope we can make those pesky PATs to get to 35” 5 for 5 on PATS, and 3 for 4 on FG attempts- not bad, eh?
“Can’t wait for Kitty Kat @Ryan Snyder/BWI Staff and Eckert (hasn’t earned a tag or nickname) to share their predictions” shot taken but @Ryan Snyder/BWI Staff got the last word… for this week, this battle is not over (bold prediction here, or not haha)
“Ball State has been preparing for this game since their bowl victory over a top 25 team. 18 starters return including the core of a top-notch defense and their QB. The head coach can smell a second MAC championship and a good showing will make him a ‘hot coach’ for a power 5 job and a huge salary. Expect a dogfight with PSU winning a squeaker. 24-20” While I disagreed, I admire the well-thought out post… it’s easy to take shots after-the-fact.
“A disjointed offense once again, but chunk plays carry the day” Need some help here, was the offense disjointed? I say yes and no. Not many chunk plays but I liked the fact we had longer drives, helped keep the D fresh and a bit more rested for Auburn next week.
“Gork Nice thread” Ah, thanks, I’m mickey… not sure how I feel being confused with Gorki LOL
“Roberson throws his first career TD pass and PSU wins…” Spot on, great prediction here!
… and that’s all on the Ball State win, folks. Now let’s get ready for the whiteout and a 3rd straight win!
Last edited:
