Penn State Football: Previewing the Eastern Michigan Game

The Penn State Nittany Lions face off against the Eastern Michigan Eagles in Week 4 of the college football season.

Heading into this game the Penn State Nittany Lions are 2-1. Last week, the Nittany Lions escaped Lincoln Financial Field with a 14-10 victory over the Temple Owls. 

The Eagles lost to in-state opponent Michigan, 31-3. This was their first test of the season, and they did not test out well.

Week 4 needs to provide the Nittany Lions with more answers than questions.

Offensively, the Nittany Lions have sputtered. Inconsistency, lack of focus, and a possible lack of talent are all problems the Nittany Lions face heading into the heart of their schedule.

Eastern Michigan looks to leave this game with respect. But this game should be Penn States for the taking; however, crazier things have happened to a team without a quarterback.

Here is a preview of this weekend's matchup:

Can the Nittany Lions Throw a Touchdown Pass?

Through the first three weeks of the season, Robert Bolden and Matt McGloin have combined for less than 500-yards passing and no touchdown passes.

That's right, zero.

This could be because neither quarterback has gotten comfortable, or because neither is really that good.

Bolden entered campus behind high praise in 2010. However, Bolden has struggled from day one. One lost job and a failed transfer later, and Bolden is afraid to make a mistake. He plays scared and allows himself to be handcuffed because of the pending competition.

McGloin never had the hype Bolden had entering Happy Valley. Despite this he has managed to find marginal success. Turnovers, lack of size and a lack of arm strength will keep McGloin from ever being the quarterback Penn State desperately needs.

Penn State's wide receivers do help. Derek Moye is more than capable, and has proven so when given the chance so far this season. Justin Brown, Devon Smith, and Shawney Kersey also provide capable targets for the mystery signal-caller.

It doesn't matter who catches it. It doesn't even really matter who throws it. The bottom line is: Penn State needs some semblance of a functional passing attack.

Start with one touchdown pass and see where it goes from there.

Will the Offensive Line Continue to Improve?

Despite the poor passing attack, the Penn State offensive line has showed flashes of being a very consistent unit so far this season.

Silas Redd has run for 255 yards and four touchdowns; in large part, thanks to the men on the front line.

The solid play up front should be encouraging for Penn State. Not necessarily for this week, but especially once they enter Big Ten play.

If Penn State hopes to be successful, the offensive line must continue to get a push up front for Redd. They also must make sure Matt McGloin and Rob Bolden have a pocket.

The passing attack has been bad enough for the Nittany Lions. If they didn't have a pocket it would be unbearable.

This week, the Nittany Lions must work out any kinks in terms of chemistry or consistency. It is important to do this against a MAC opponent before entering the heart of their conference schedule.

Where Will the Nittany Lions Pass Rush Come From?

Last season, the Nittany Lions struggled to get pressure on opposing quarterbacks. So far this season pressure has been better, but still not where it needs to be.

The Nittany Lions' best chance at changing this lies in the front four. Particularly on the interior.

Devon Still and Jordan Hill are a rising duo at defensive tackle. Against Alabama, Still broke out for a career-high eight tackles. Finally, some of Still's potential showed itself in a game situation.

Hill continues to get better playing alongside Still. He is explosive, and sheds blockers with tenacity. His ability to stop the run or pressure the quarterback make him a commodity to Tom Bradley's pass rush.

Jordan Crawford, Sean Stanley, and Kevion Latham must also contribute. However, they must find a way to collapse the pocket from the edge. Doing so will force quarterbacks right into Still and Hill's kitchen.

The Penn State secondary is very solid. Most of their impact plays will come from the guys on the back end. Adding a pass rush to the mix will make the secondary that much better.

Against the Eastern Michigan Eagles, Penn State needs to prove their pass rush has some bite to go with their bark.

How Many Carries Will Silas Redd Have?

Silas Redd is without a doubt Penn State's most talented offensive weapon. As a running back, that would normally require a heavy workload. Especially with an anemic passing attack.

Despite all of this, Redd is averaging less than 20-carries per game through the first three matchups.

Granted, Redd is a sophomore. He lacks experience, and shouldn't be asked to do too much. However, Redd is extremely talented. When do you take the kid gloves off?

It is understandable for the Penn State coaching staff to worry about Redd, but you won't know if he can handle it unless you try.

With no indication of a pass offense for the Nittany Lions, this will become more important as they get into the meat of their schedule.

Eastern Michigan gave up almost 200 yards on the ground to Denard Robinson last week. Their run defense struggles against speed and explosiveness. Silas Redd possesses both of these qualities.

If Penn State wants to compete in the Big Ten they will have to lean on their run game. In order to do that, Redd must be given the chance to carry the load.

Should Matt Mcgloin Start?

Matt McGloin is 20-37 with 201 yards and zero touchdowns so far this season.

No, that is not through one game. Sadly, those are McGloin's totals through three weeks of splitting time with Rob Bolden behind center.

Some argue Bolden has the potential, therefore he should be given the starting job and left alone. His untapped talent is more important than any immediate results.

Others argue that with a quarterback, Penn State is a Top 20 team. In the immediate future, McGloin may be more ready to make that happen.

The argument is valid for both sides. Bolden has a ton of potential, but who knows if he will ever reach that ceiling after last season's shenanigans. McGloin is more equipped to win right now, but he is very mistake-prone and has no upside whatsoever.

No matter the argument at this point, the starting job needs to be decided once and for all. One quarterback switch is bad, but Penn State is switching slingers multiple times a game.

This will not end well for Joe Paterno if he carries on with the quarterback competition much longer. No chemistry or consistency can ever be developed under the current offensive strategy.

For this week, give the job to McGloin and see how he plays for an entire, uninterrupted game. If he can't get it done, go back to the drawing board.

Penn State Wins If...

Penn State should have no problem winning this game; however, what they take from this game may be more important than the probable victory.

After battling their way to a 2-1 record through the first three weeks, Penn State must continue to address the same old questions. Indiana is arguably another tuneup game in Week 5, but Big Ten play is a whole different ball game.

Silas Redd must be given the ball against Eastern Michigan this week. Running Redd early and often will prepare Redd for conference play, and test his endurance.

Defensively, the Nittany Lions must shut down the Eagles' two-headed rushing attack. Up front, penetration must be made by the defensive line. Michael Mauti will clean up the rest.

Penn State needs to worry about the outcome of this game. Getting better for the tough road ahead wouldn't hurt either.

Eastern Michigan Wins If...

Eastern Michigan will win this game if everything comes together at the right time.

Offensively, the Eagles will lean on Javonti Greene and Dominique Sherrer. Both average over five-yards-per carry. Last week, Penn State faced another mid-major star in Bernard Pierce. Greene and Sherrer will present the same problems.

Quarterback Alex Gillett must take care of the ball against the ball-hawking Nittany Lions' secondary.

Defensively, the Eagles must slow down Silas Redd. If they can do that, their defense has a shot to shut down the abysmal Penn State passing attack. This is their biggest shot at the upset.

If Redd cannot get free for the Nittany Lions, all of the pressure falls on the shoulders of the rotating quarterback. This could prove dangerous for Penn State, but the Eagles could gain major momentum over time.

However, if Redd runs he will run the Eagles right out of Beaver Stadium.

Matchup of the Game: Javonti Greene and Dominique Sherrer vs. Penn State Front 7

Javonti Greene and Dominique Sherrer have combined for almost 600-rushing yards and three touchdowns through the first three weeks of the season.

In this equation, Greene is the lightning and Sherrer is the thunder.

Last week, the Nittany Lions shut down Bernard Pierce to 50 yards. Pierce may be more talented than both of the Eagles' backs; however, there are two of them. That gives the Nittany Lions more to game plan for and more to worry about.

Michael Mauti, Glenn Carson, and Gerald Hodges have gelled so far this season. Mauti has emerged as one of the best linebackers in the Big Ten. Greene and Sherrer will put this unit to the test on Saturday.

The Nittany Lions should be able to get solid penetration in the trenches. If they can, containing the Eagles' tandem should not be difficult.

However, if the Eagles win the line of scrimmage it could prove to be a longer day than necessary in State College.

Prediction

The Nittany Lions will take care of business in front of their home crowd in Week 4.

Expect Silas Redd to have no problems. His overall talent plus the consistency of the offensive line will be too much for the Eagles to handle defensively.

The passing attack may, or may not, show up. Even so, the Nittany Lions should not have any major problems. Outside of turnovers, the run game should have enough juice to power the Penn State offense.

Defensively, quarterback Alex Gillett will not hurt the stout Penn State secondary. The Eagles' only chance of burning the Penn State defense lies on the ground. However, their success against Bernard Pierce last week is not an encouraging sign.

Of course the Eagles could hang in and pull the upset, but don't count on it.

Prediction: Penn State 28 Eastern Michigan 7