2009 Penn State Season Preview (Part II)

FACTS:

1) The last five games in the series were decided by the rushing total. Penn State has that going in their favor. They out-rushed Minnesota for the season by more than two yards per carry in 2008.

2) Minnesota has won four of six in the series, though a few of these victories came against Penn State teams who were struggling to win. That won't be the case in 2009.

This game will be fairly close, and by no means a blowout, but Penn State should win this game by about two touchdowns.

Penn State 31, Minnesota 14

PSU is 6-1

FACTS:

1) Michigan has won five straight home games in this series. Penn State was ranked 15th or higher in four of those contests.

2) Michigan has won nine of the last 10 game in this series. Last year, Penn State trailed 17-7 before scoring 39 unanswered points to break a nine-game losing streak against the Wolverines.

3) Michigan was tied at 17 late in the third quarter last year when starter Steven Threet was knocked out of the game. The rest became history.

This game is going to be a tough game. It will be won in the trenches and decided by which offensive line gets off the ball the best. Michigan came out for a half last year and moved Penn State around a bit.

Don't be suprised if Michigan comes into this game 6-1 and very pumped up ready to get physical for four quarters. This game should come down to the wire, however don't be suprised if Michigan pulls what now looks like a major upset.

Michigan 31, Penn State 24

PSU is 6-2

FACTS:

1) Penn State and Northwestern have played close games in Evanston as of late. The last five games played there have been decided by an average of five points.

2) Penn State has won nine of the last 12 in this series, but only two of the last four in the series. PSU is 2-9 in the second of back-to-back road games.

All signs point to this actually being a competitive game, and it might be somewhat close, but I'm not buying a Northwestern victory by any measure this year. Penn State is too equipped to lose this game or back-to-back games.

Final Score: Penn State 34, Northwestern 7

PSU is 7-2

Penn State has never beaten Ohio State in back-to-back seasons. Could this be the year to end that trend? Penn State has the senior leadership from Daryll Clark to win the game in Happy Valley.

Led by Evan Royster, Penn State has an established running back unit and the offensive line should be solid by this point in the season.

Expect the defense to be strong, especially at linebacker. OSU won't get much between the tackles.

Terrelle Pryor will have to carry The Buckeyes if they want to win this game. He will have to do better than six yards on nine carries in this game while making sure to hold on to the football.

I wouldn't be surprised if he were used as a wide receiver in the game, very similar to the Texas game in 2009.

Any big play for Ohio State, and the Buckeyes will come close to winning.

But Penn State will win in the end.

Final Score: Penn State 24, Ohio State 21

PSU is 8-2

FACTS:

1) PSU is 12-0 vs. Indiana and has won the last five games by 26 points per game.

2) Indiana only managed six first downs in 2008's game, and 180 yards of offense.

Penn State 38, Indiana 7

PSU is 9-2

Penn State has won seven of the last nine games in this series. Last year they beat MSU last year 49-18 and held Javon Ringer to a season-low rushing total of 42 yards.

This game should be a lot closer than last year's blowout. I expect Michigan State to be a lot better by this point in the season.

Daryll Clark will strap it up for one more Big Ten contest, leading the Nittany Lions to a big fourth quarter comeback.

Penn State 30, Michigan State 27

PSU is 10-2 overall

Conference record is 6-2

PF 419
PA 197

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