Week Seven Review
Penn State has been making statement wins throughout the early part of the 2008 college football season. But after their emphatic 48-7 thrashing of Wisconsin in Madison on Saturday night, it is impossible to overlook what the Nittany Lions are doing.
The only negative about the PSU victory is that it is the furthest my prediction has been off all season.
I’ll take it.
I had originally predicted PSU to lose this game in my article at the beginning of the summer, but I changed my mind last week and said that PSU would win by a score of 30-20. At least I got the victory predicted correctly.
In a pre-game interview that aired on ESPN, Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema said that he expected a “Big Ten football game” with a smirk on his face. Once the Wisconsin offense got the ball, it was clear what Bielema had intended by that comment.
Wisconsin’s game plan was to run the ball right at the PSU defense—and he probably expected the PSU offense to do the same.
But Penn State didn’t play the “Big Ten football game” style of play Bielema was expecting. They came out of the gates with some big pass plays, had a kick return for a touchdown, and consistently stopped the Badger running game despite having a severe size advantage in the trenches.
Once Wisconsin realized they weren’t going to be able to line up and run the ball, they had no response.
Wisconsin’s lone touchdown came on the heels of two quarterback scrambles and a long pass play to standout tight end Travis Beckum. Cornerback Tony Davis seemed to be screened on the play.
8 comments Last one added 8 months ago — Leave a Comment
Jon Luzader 8 months ago
Great article Brett. Beaver Stadium on Saturday is going to be electric. Expect an awesome show from Clark and his troops. I still do not have a student ticket yet if anyone knows about some extra tickets let me know!
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Brett Lissenden 8 months ago
Thanks Jon. I'm a senior so I have been looking forward to thrashing Michigan ever since the last second loss at Ann Arbor when I was a freshman. The time has finally come. I don't know of any student tickets but if I hear anything I will let youknow.
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Isaac Luber 8 months ago
Great article, great preview. I don't think PSU will lose to OSU because OSU has had mediocre offensive performances, at best. I think our offense is faster than their whole team, and our defense can keep up with any offense, and we will beat them with, speed, talent, and power. PSU should be expecting a trip to Miami in a couple of months.
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Brett Lissenden 8 months ago
I agree but I don't want to concede that we will automatically beat the same team that thrashed us last year just yet. I don't really see any defense in the country stopping the PSU offense consistently if they play like they have been playing. The biggest threat to the PSU offense is conservative play calling from the PSU coaches. And the defense is solid. Hope you enjoy the game this week!
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Isaac Luber 8 months ago
I will. I'm actually going up tomorrow instead of Friday. An extra day of hanging out in town can't hurt. PSU's coaches didn't go conservative against Wisconsin, which surprised me, and now that they've shown their unconservative side, I expect to see more of the same against Ohio State and any other team we play. Even though Michigan is bad, I think the crowd will still be close to 100,000 and crazy, don't you?
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Brett Lissenden 8 months ago
Yeah the stadium will be packed and rocking. Late start + homecoming + Michigan = craziness.
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football fan PSU 8 months ago
Ill be there too... flying in from FL on firday. I hope for a record turn out so get thos tickets PSU fans. Come join me for some cheers....WE ARE
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Isaac Luber 8 months ago
PENN STATE!!!
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