2016 TaxSlayer Bowl: Preview, Predictions for Georgia vs. Penn State
The Georgia Bulldogs (9-3, 5-3 SEC) meet the Penn State Nittany Lions (7-5, 4-4 Big Ten) in the 2016 TaxSlayer Bowl. It's a rematch of the 1983 Sugar Bowl, when the Nittany Lions defeated the Bulldogs 27-23 to capture the national championship.
Up to this point, it was the only meeting ever between these two prestigious schools.
The Bulldogs began the 2015 season with high expectations, but back-to-back disappointing losses to Alabama and Tennessee in October derailed a once-promising season. The offense struggled with the loss of star running back Nick Chubb and uneven quarterback play.
It cost longtime head Mark Richt his job last week. Wide receivers coach Bryan McClendon will coach Georgia in this game, per Jason Butt of the Telegraph.
The 2015 season was James Franklin's second in charge of Penn State. The Nittany Lions got off to a 5-1 start, but finished the season on a three-game losing streak.
- When: Saturday, Jan. 2, 2016.
- Where: EverBank Field, Jacksonville, Florida.
- Time: Noon ET.
- TV: ESPN.
- Radio: The Georgia Bulldogs' Radio Network, Penn State Sports Network and ESPN Radio.
Tale of the Tape
1 of 7Both teams play terrific defense—specifically the Bulldogs, who rank No. 8 in total defense.
Georgia's pass defense could be where this game is decided. The 'Dawgs are the No. 1 pass defense in the country, allowing just 146 yards per game. The Nittany Lions are No. 83 in passing offense, averaging 209 yards per game.
On the flip side, Georgia's feeble passing game could lead the Nittany Lions to load up the box to shut down the running game and make quarterback Greyson Lambert beat them.
Georgia's Keys to Victory
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Run the Football
The Bulldogs do not want quarterback Greyson Lambert throwing the ball 40 times. Lambert doesn't take too many chances with the football, often missing big plays downfield. That's where running back Sony Michel figures into the mix.
Michel rushed for over 1,000 yards this season and was third on the team in receiving. Michel, a talented sophomore, was forced into the starting role when Chubb went down at Tennessee. Georgia needs to get the ball in Michel's hands between 20 and 25 times. If that happens, it could open up some big-play opportunities for wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell.
Pressure Christian Hackenberg
On the season, Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg is completing just 53 percent of his passes and the Nittany Lions have allowed 39 sacks. Only eight other teams have allowed more sacks.
Much of that is due to Hackenberg looking for the big play and holding onto the football too long. This should lead to linebackers Leonard Floyd and Jordan Jenkins having a big day.
The more pressure UGA gets on Hackenberg, the more likely the Bulldogs win this game.
Penn State's Keys to Victory
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Get Chris Godwin the Football
The sophomore receiver is a difference-maker for the Nittany Lions. On the season, Godwin led PSU in receptions and receiving yards and tied for the team lead in touchdown receptions. He's Hackenberg's favorite target, and Franklin must find ways to get him involved.
If the Lions can hit a deep shot to Godwin early, it opens up the running game. That could create even more opportunities for Godwin later in the game.
Make Georgia One-Dimensional
If Georgia can't run the football, Penn State's chances of winning this game go up dramatically. Lambert is more of a game manager at quarterback and doesn't like to take risks down the field.
If the Bulldogs are forced to throw early, it favors Penn State. The Nittany Lions have the nation's top pass-rusher in defensive end Carl Nassib.
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Georgia Players to Watch
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Quarterback Greyson Lambert
Michel is the key to Georgia winning this game. He is UGA's top offensive player and can make an impact in the passing game, too.
However, Lambert will likely determine how good Georgia's offense will be against a fierce Penn State pass rush.
If Lambert can hit some shorter throws early in the game and keep Michel involved, things will open up for the Bulldogs. Georgia has some talented receivers who can make big plays. Lambert must get them involved.
Linebacker Leonard Floyd
Floyd didn't post outstanding sack numbers in 2015. He did become a better overall player, though. He was better against the run and showed he could drop in coverage, too.
This game could allow Floyd to put up some big sack numbers. He's arguably the most athletic pass-rusher Penn State has faced this season. If he or Jenkins can get to Hackenberg early, it could be a long day for PSU's offense.
Penn State Players to Watch
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Quarterback Christian Hackenberg
The Nittany Lions live or die by their junior quarterback. That can be both good and bad. Hackenberg often holds the ball too long, waiting for something to develop. Sometimes they do; sometimes they don't. That leads to some unnecessary sacks. He must find the proper balance against a solid Georgia defense.
Hackenberg isn't necessarily a turnover-prone passer, but the sacks he takes often put the Nittany Lions in a precarious position. If he avoids the negative plays, he can carry Penn State to a victory over the Bulldogs.
Defensive End Carl Nassib
Nassib led the nation in sacks with 15.5 and has had at least one in every game. Entering this season, Nassib had two career sacks. At 6'7", 272 pounds, Nassib is enormous and almost impossible for opposing offensive tackles to move. He's deceptively athletic, too.
Georgia has allowed just 13 sacks on the season, so it won't be another easy day for Nassib.
Nassib against Georgia's offensive line will be a fun matchup to watch.
What They're Saying
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Penn State
According to Ben Jones of StateCollege.com, this will be the fourth time the Nittany Lions have faced an opponent with an interim coach this season.
Penn State has won the previous three meetings against interim coaches.
Georgia
The Bulldogs are quite familiar with Penn State head coach James Franklin. When Franklin was head coach of Vanderbilt in 2011, he had a postgame confrontation with former Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham on the field, per Marc Weiszer of the Athens Banner-Herald.
Prediction
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This won't remind anyone of the 1983 Sugar Bowl, but it will be a fun matchup nonetheless. Both teams—specifically the Bulldogs—have numerous talented players.
Hackenberg could determine the outcome of this one. If he plays well, the Nittany Lions can move the ball. If he struggles, Georgia could go up big early and never look back.
So what happens?
Expect Hackenberg to have a solid game, but the Bulldogs defense will create a pair of turnovers to set their offense up in good field position. Lambert will take care of the football, and Michel will finish with over 100 yards rushing. That will be enough for Georgia to win the 2016 TaxSlayer Bowl.
Prediction: Georgia 23, Penn State 17
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