Predicting as little as possible for the Pitt game...here they are:

[Rip_E_2_Joe_PA]

JJ finds his hands again and doesn't drop a pass.
Holland becomes more of a target by McSorley.
Miles Sanders puts on a clinic.
Still lots of players will be out of position and make mistakes.
If Kevin Givens plays, the DL play and subsequently the play of the two lines of defense behind it will be markedly improved.
The special teams will take a big step forward.

That's it for me. I don't see any assistant coaches being fired in the near future over the play of freshmen and sophomores. Drama Queens are always boring. Especially now when we get enough drama queen tweets over night every day from the beltway to last a lifetime. We certainly don't need to add any more here.

 

[BBrown]

JJ finds his hands again and doesn't drop a pass.
Holland becomes more of a target by McSorley.
Miles Sanders puts on a clinic.
Still lots of players will be out of position and make mistakes.
If Kevin Givens plays, the DL play and subsequently the play of the two lines of defense behind it will be markedly improved.
The special teams will take a big step forward.

That's it for me. I don't see any assistant coaches being fired in the near future over the play of freshmen and sophomores. Drama Queens are always boring. Especially now when we get enough drama queen tweets over night every day from the beltway to last a lifetime. We certainly don't need to add any more here.

I think Holland could be a much bigger weapon for us than we previously thought.

 

[NittPicker]

The edge players on defense will be more disciplined. They were sucked inside a number of times and they were then out of position when the designed play came back their way. App State exploited that which was why the reverse they ran went for big yards.

Also, tackling.

 

[919_Lion]

I think we’re gonna see(albeit for a game or 2) a return to the Tom Bradley soft zone. This will make it easier for the young defenders to know their role. I think we’ll see everybody’s favorite “bend but don’t break” Defense. Plain and simple: if we swap TDs for FGs, we win. If not, well…..

I also think the following Defensive players see more time:

-Mustipher

-J. Miller

-Luketa

-Parsons

I really, really, really, really hope I’m wrong, but I see Pitt gashing us for 6-7 yds/play.

 

[KnightSlayer]

I really, really, really, really hope I’m wrong, but I see Pitt gashing us for 6-7 yds/play.

You need to get your eyes checked.

 

[919_Lion]

You need to get your eyes checked.

And I’ll gladly eat crow, when I’m(hopefully) wrong.

 

[SR108]

JJ finds his hands again and doesn't drop a pass.
Holland becomes more of a target by McSorley.
Miles Sanders puts on a clinic.
Still lots of players will be out of position and make mistakes.
If Kevin Givens plays, the DL play and subsequently the play of the two lines of defense behind it will be markedly improved.
The special teams will take a big step forward.

That's it for me. I don't see any assistant coaches being fired in the near future over the play of freshmen and sophomores. Drama Queens are always boring. Especially now when we get enough drama queen tweets over night every day from the beltway to last a lifetime. We certainly don't need to add any more here.

I expect Sanders to have a big game. He is familiar with that stadium and should be highly motivated. The same should also be true for Wade depending on how much he plays. I hope Givens plays, he should be a boost to the DLine and also motivated highly vs Pitt.

 

[harjeff]

JJ finds his hands again and doesn't drop a pass.
Holland becomes more of a target by McSorley.
Miles Sanders puts on a clinic.
Still lots of players will be out of position and make mistakes.
If Kevin Givens plays, the DL play and subsequently the play of the two lines of defense behind it will be markedly improved.
The special teams will take a big step forward.

That's it for me. I don't see any assistant coaches being fired in the near future over the play of freshmen and sophomores. Drama Queens are always boring. Especially now when we get enough drama queen tweets over night every day from the beltway to last a lifetime. We certainly don't need to add any more here.

I would add Hamler to the mix of who we will see more involved...kid is a flat out game changer

 

[brupsu]

And I’ll gladly eat crow, when I’m(hopefully) wrong.

no prediction but I have a feeling both the offensive and defensive lines show marked improvement

 

[drblue1977]

I am worried that the DL will..............not be able to apply any pressure. Maybe they should try some stunts and throw in a corner blitz multiple times. Pry will be SHOCKED at seeing the...... shovel pass 9 or 10 times and he will have no answer. Hope I am wrong and Pry is up to the task.

 

[SR108]

I am worried that the DL will..............not be able to apply any pressure. Maybe they should try some stunts and throw in a corner blitz multiple times. Pry will be SHOCKED at seeing the...... shovel pass 9 or 10 times and he will have no answer. Hope I am wrong and Pry is up to the task.

If we shut down their running game, we will get heat on their QB. If they are able to run the ball and mix in play action, it will be a repeat of Saturday's game, and we will have to outscore them to win.

 

[SR108]

I would add Hamler to the mix of who we will see more involved...kid is a flat out game changer

He should be deadly against their man defense.

 

[Nitt1300]

If we shut down their running game, we will get heat on their QB. If they are able to run the ball and mix in play action, it will be a repeat of Saturday's game, and we will have to outscore them to win.

pretty much you always have to outscore them to win

 

[step.eng69]

pretty much you always have to outscore them to win

really?

 

[Nitt1300]

really

just can't resist such low hanging fruit

 

[SR108]

just can't resist such low hanging fruit

I bet you can't.

 

[LemonEars]

I think we’re gonna see(albeit for a game or 2) a return to the Tom Bradley soft zone. This will make it easier for the young defenders to know their role. I think we’ll see everybody’s favorite “bend but don’t break” Defense. Plain and simple: if we swap TDs for FGs, we win. If not, well…..

I also think the following Defensive players see more time:

-Mustipher

-J. Miller

-Luketa

-Parsons

I really, really, really, really hope I’m wrong, but I see Pitt gashing us for 6-7 yds/play.

I think you are wrong about pitt gashing us for 6-7 yards per play. This isn't the pitt offensive line from last year or the year before. I don't see them pushing us around. The only worry we have is Pickett's dinky pass game.

 

[marisa45]

JJ finds his hands again and doesn't drop a pass.
Holland becomes more of a target by McSorley.
Miles Sanders puts on a clinic.
Still lots of players will be out of position and make mistakes.
If Kevin Givens plays, the DL play and subsequently the play of the two lines of defense behind it will be markedly improved.
The special teams will take a big step forward.

That's it for me. I don't see any assistant coaches being fired in the near future over the play of freshmen and sophomores. Drama Queens are always boring. Especially now when we get enough drama queen tweets over night every day from the beltway to last a lifetime. We certainly don't need to add any more here.

Pretty much agree
Holland becomes more of a target by McSorley.
--Maybe, bring on Hippenhammer and Dotson and let's get this party started!
Miles Sanders puts on a clinic
--Book it, 150 all purpose yards
Still lots of players will be out of position and make mistakes.
--Agreed, but it won't be as bad as last game based on game tape review and because those who played poorly will see less reps.
If Kevin Givens plays, the DL play and subsequently the play of the two lines of defense behind it will be markedly improved
--Agreed, the DL version of Pocket Herk-a-leze will settle the rest of the line down and lift level of play. Even more if we get Simmons back.........that boy is ready!
The special teams will take a big step forward.
--Definitely, we didn't hire a Special Teams Coach to take a step backward. Coach be firing up his dudes this week!
I don't see any assistant coaches being fired in the near future over the play of freshmen and sophomores.
--Of course not. To go further, very few assistant coaches will ever get "fired".....James hires well and gives folks a long rope. Which like it or not, is exactly the Penn State Way!! You don't get a "family atmosphere" reputation if you're whacking coaches every year!

 

[LaJolla Lion]

I love Givens, but I'm not sure he fixes the DL overnight. There is some youth there that will need to grow up and Simmons is also really being missed on the outside. I just want to see a little bit less confusion with the LB's and secondary. If that occurs and the tackling gets better, PSU wins by 10+, maybe more.

 

[BBrown]

I think you are wrong about pitt gashing us for 6-7 yards per play. This isn't the pitt offensive line from last year or the year before. I don't see them pushing us around. The only worry we have is Pickett's dinky pass game.

If they are gashing us at 6-7 yards a clip it aint going to stop when they get inside the RZ.

 

[SR108]

I love Givens, but I'm not sure he fixes the DL overnight. There is some youth there that will need to grow up and Simmons is also really being missed on the outside. I just want to see a little bit less confusion with the LB's and secondary. If that occurs and the tackling gets better, PSU wins by 10+, maybe more.

Givens would help, but your right about the young DT's, they need work.

 

[BBrown]

I love Givens, but I'm not sure he fixes the DL overnight. There is some youth there that will need to grow up and Simmons is also really being missed on the outside. I just want to see a little bit less confusion with the LB's and secondary. If that occurs and the tackling gets better, PSU wins by 10+, maybe more.

JMO but Givens fixes 2.5 "issues" 1.) he immediately makes the DL better and 2.)He now helps keep some of the OL off of Johnson, making Johnson better.
.5) Also it really helps in some of our rotation and when we play that 4 DE defense.

Agree about Simmons but unfortunately I don't think we see him yet, same with Tommy Stevens.

 

[IANit]

JJ finds his hands again and doesn't drop a pass.
Holland becomes more of a target by McSorley.
Miles Sanders puts on a clinic.
Still lots of players will be out of position and make mistakes.
If Kevin Givens plays, the DL play and subsequently the play of the two lines of defense behind it will be markedly improved.
The special teams will take a big step forward.

That's it for me. I don't see any assistant coaches being fired in the near future over the play of freshmen and sophomores. Drama Queens are always boring. Especially now when we get enough drama queen tweets over night every day from the beltway to last a lifetime. We certainly don't need to add any more here.

Our defense is a work in progress, but I'm convinced the talent is there. Pitt will score, but we'll score more and we have #9. I expect Hamler to make some plays. Also looking for some better play from JJ this week and hope to see Dotson and or Shorter in the mix. Sanders should have a little extra motivation in this one as well. I'm thinking something like 38-28.

 

[SR108]

Our defense is a work in progress, but I'm convinced the talent is there. Pitt will score, but we'll score more and we have #9. I expect Hamler to make some plays. Also looking for some better play from JJ this week and hope to see Dotson and or Shorter in the mix. Sanders should have a little extra motivation in this one as well. I'm thinking something like 38-28.

I would think that Sanders will be highly motivated for this game.

 

[PSU95alum]

I hope Penn State wins by 30, but I just don't see it happening. My feeling is that Pitt has dedicated the last 3 weeks to exclusively focus on Penn State, as this is their Super Bowl.

I doubt they even prepped or ran a scout team for Abania. I predict that Pitt will win this game by a score of 52-24. Then they will go on to lose 6 or 7 games.

 

[Custerdome]

Three words and we win. Defensively....

SIMPLIFY. SIMPLIFY. SIMPLIFY.