Reasons Why Penn State Will Finally Break The Curse Against Michigan

This weekend, a match-up that Penn State fans like myself have been looking forward to all season is finally here.  The Penn State Nittany Lions, ranked third in the Nation, will be taking on a struggling Michigan team.  Michigan, as most people probably know, has a nine-game winning streak over the Nittany Lions.  This curse, however, will end, and here's why.

1) We are even better than the 2005 team that got cheated.

First, let's make this clear.  All game in the 2005 UM vs. PSU game, Michigan was getting very favorable calls from the refs.  On the last drive, there were a few plays where a person was clearly out of bounds but it was not reviewed. 

Also on the last drive, Michigan added time onto the clock, and went on to win because they had one second left when the called the final play, which ended up being a touchdown.  Basically what I'm trying to say is...YES!  WE WERE CHEATED!

Now, this current Penn State team is even better than 2005's team.  We're faster, more talented, more experienced, and just better in every aspect of the game.  Our offense, defense, and special teams are all better than the 2005 team's.

2) Michigan is awful.

Michigan just came off a 13-10 loss against Toledo.  Toledo, going into that game, had a worse record than Michigan.  To make it even worse, Michigan lost that game at home.  However, perhaps the worst part about it was that Michigan was 24-0 against MAC teams prior to that game...make that 24-1 now.

Michigan has struggled to find any strengths on their team.  All season they have had a pretty bad offense, a bad defense, and mediocre special teams...and I'm being kind given that the Michigan kicker missed a game-tying, chip shot field goal with just seconds left. 

Despite an enormous second half comeback against Wisconsin, this team has had nothing going for them.

The Michigan team that cheated Penn State in the 2005 season was better than this one.  Michigan is clearly outmatched in this one.

3) Penn State is at home.

Beaver Stadium is officially the largest stadium in the country and the third largest in the world, according to seating capacity.  Penn State also has the loudest, craziest, and best fans in the world.  (There is no use arguing about this as you know it is true).

Home field advantage helps every team, except for Michigan who has lost a few already this season at home, and Wisconsin who lost back to back games at night and at home.  Penn State will use the crowd's energy to their full advantage.  This will give the Nittany Lions plenty of emotion to go along with their talent and speed.

Meanwhile, the Michigan players will be down, and booing and other negative cheers towards them will not help.  The Wolverines will be intimidated by this crowd, which will help PSU significantly.  The crowd will make Penn State play better and Michigan play worse, which would be hard for Michigan to do judging on their performances.

4) Penn State is dominant.

Let's see here.  Penn State 66, Coastal Carolina 10.  Penn State 45, Oregon State 14.  Penn State 55, Syracuse 13.  Penn State 45, Temple 3.  Penn State 38, Illinois 24.  Penn State 20, Purdue 6.  Penn State 48, Wisconsin 7.

Penn State's closest games were against Purdue and Illinois, where they won by 14 each time.

When your closest game is a win by 14, you know your offense is doing something right.  Not only that, the defense is continuing to become more and more dominant.  Penn State rarely gives up many points, as 24 is the most they have given up this season. 

On offense, defense, and special teams, Penn State has completely dominated games and I expect them to keep doing it.

The Nittany Lions are one of the most talented teams in the country, and even the Penn State haters at ESPN said that we could match up with any team in the Nation in both the speed and talent categories. 

Penn State is the most dominant team in the Nation, and will continue to be, hopefully all the way through to the National Championship, where I would hope to be dominant as well.

Also, stats for Penn State are huge, as their offense is ranked in the Top 10 in many categories, along with their defense being in the Top 15 in most categories.

Penn State also comes out and plays less conservative, even on the road.  If they keep this up, no one is going to stop their explosive Spread HD offense or get by their fast, yet physical defense.

Penn State will finally break the curse this year.  They have all the talent, all the advantages, and they always execute.  That's why I wouldn't be surprised if Penn State pulled off a 70-13 victory...but my real prediction is a 59-10 victory.

There you have it, why we will break the curse, my season prediction, and my game prediction.  For Penn State, every week is a new topic, a new challenge, and another performance that quiets the critics.