Northwestern Football Hosts Penn State for High Profile Halloween Battle

(Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

Everything in the Northwestern Wildcats' (5-3, 2-2) season was supposed to be building to this week's matchup against #10 (Coaches' and Harris polls)/#12 (AP poll and BCS) Penn State (7-1, 3-1): It's an afternoon game (3:30 PM CT start time) televised on ESPN that falls on Halloween and is the biggest home game of NU's 2009 season.  Unfortunately, the 'Cats faltered a few times early on, but this game still has huge implications with PSU trying to stay in the Big Ten race and Northwestern trying to attain bowl eligibility.

The Wildcats are, of course, coming off of an all-time comeback win (in terms of points) last week against Indiana, while Penn State easily handled Michigan on the road by a score of 35-10.  PSU has been on a roll after losing their first Big Ten game of the year to Iowa, outscoring the last four opponents by a total score of 142-30 (that is an average winning score of 35.5-7.5).  Needless to say, the Nittany Lions are on a mission.

NU, on the other hand, has already lost to two common opponents that PSU beat (Syracuse and Minnesota) and has racked up its five wins against teams that are a combined 9-24 (not counting the losses to NU).  Penn State hasn't had the strongest of schedules, but is building momentum after posting big wins over respectable Big Ten teams the last two weeks.

NU is a big underdog in this game, and for good reason, as PSU leads the Big Ten in nine major statistical categories (pass efficiency defense, pass defense, pass efficiency, rushing defense, scoring defense, total defense, total offense, sacks, and TFLs).  They execute well in all aspects of the game and have the capability to post explosion plays when needed, and who would expect anything less from a Joe Paterno coached team.

The 'Cats will be looking to put together their best game of the season if they are to have any chance of pulling this upset.  The offense has shown an ability to move the ball, with the NU passing offense ranking second in the conference, while the defense has shut out each of its last four opponents in at least one half of the football game.
Also, don't forget that the last three games in this series played at Ryan Field have had some entertaining results.  In 2001, Joe Paterno tied Bear Bryant in all-time college coaching wins as PSU won in a back and forth game 38-35. In 2003, NU won 17-7 in a game marked by unusual lake-effect snow.  And in 2005, PSU made a last minute game-winning drive that propelled them to a Big Ten title despite a strong showing from the 'Cats.

Finally, this game has all the markings of a trap game for the Lions, with a big matchup against Ohio State looming next week. But, they'll be facing a team that hasn't lived up to its abilities this year on the road and playing in a building that has hosted some close games.  Although Northwestern looks overmatched on paper, this one could get interesting.


Opening Line: Penn State by 14.


Who Should Win:

Penn State.   The statistics and records tilt heavily in Penn State's favor, and they likely have the edge in virtually every matchup on the field.  The Nittany Lions are on a roll and have their eyes on a BCS berth—if not a share of the conference title—if they can continue their run into November.  I will save going through their long list of weapons for the unit breakdown because it is just too long to list here.


Upset Factor:

Northwestern has yet to play a "complete game" this season against FBS/I-A competition, and has shown flashes of solid play on both sides of the ball.  Although the defense has been banged up, they've shut out each of their last four opponents in at least one half of the game.  QB Mike Kafka has proved his passing skills and is posting solid numbers and leading the offense.  If NU can put it all together, they can definitely surprise PSU, and add to that the fact that this has all the makings of a trap game for the highly ranked Lions.


What to Look for:

Northwestern Offense / Penn State Defense

First, let's get the Penn State defensive superlatives out of the way.  They're first nationally in scoring defense, yielding just 8.9 points per game.  PSU is in the top ten nationally and first in the conference in rushing defense (79.8 yards per game), pass efficiency defense (91.7), total defense (240.3 yards per game), pass defense (160.5 yards per game), sacks (3.3 per game), and TFLs (8.8 per game).

Their strength is up front, with an excellent (as always) defensive line and a linebacking corps that makes PSU worthy of the oft-used title "Linebacker U."  LBs Josh Hul

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