2012 TicketCity Bowl: Quarter by Quarter Predictions for Penn State vs. Houston

The 2012 TicketCity Bowl, featuring the 19th ranked Houston Cougars and the 22nd ranked Penn State Nittany Lions, is less than two weeks away.

In what is being labeled as one of the most exciting bowl matchups outside of the BCS bowls, the TicketCity Bowl features the Cougars' first-ranked scoring and passing attack against the Nittany Lions' 10th-ranked overall defense.  

With the Nittany Lions facing an offense like they haven't seen all year and the Cougars facing the best defense they've seen all year, we are in for a real treat.

If you're going to be busy on January 2nd or just don't want to watch the game, you're in luck.  I put together quarter by quarter predictions for the 2012 TicketCity Bowl, so go ahead and read on.

First Quarter: Houston 14, Penn State 13

Houston will get the best of Penn State for the entirety of the first quarter.  Houston's first-ranked scoring offense, led by quarterback Case Keenum, will march down the field on its first drive, after a Penn State field goal, and score on a Keenum touchdown pass.  

Penn State will respond by marching down the field themselves and scoring a touchdown to take a 10-7 lead.  Unlike Houston, the Nittany Lions will move the ball down the field on the ground with running back Silas Redd, who will ultimately get the score on a goal-line touchdown run.

After a three-and-out by each team, Keenum will connect with wideout Patrick Edwards on a 35-plus yard pass to retake the lead at 14-10.

Just before the end of the first quarter Penn State will inch closer to the Cougars on an Anthony Fera 40-plus yard field goal, moving the score to 14-13 in favor of the Cougars entering the second quarter.

End of First Quarter Prediction: Houston 14, Penn State 13 

Second Quarter: Houston 24, Penn State 20

In a surprising turn of events, the Houston Cougars will start off the second quarter scoring with a rushing touchdown from running back Charles Sims.  The Cougars will move to a 21-13 lead with less than 10 minutes left to play in the second quarter.

With their backs against the wall, the Penn State offense, relying heavily on the wildcat formation led by running backs Redd and Stephfon Green and wide receiver Curtis Drake, will march down the field and score a rare passing touchdown to wideout Justin Brown with less than two minutes left in the half.  The Nittany Lions will move within one point of the Cougars, with the score 21-20.

Bad news for the Nittany Lions, before the end of the half, Keenum will march his team down the field and into the red zone.  Good news for the Nittany Lions, they will hold Keenum and the Cougars to a field goal, extending their lead to 24-20 as the TicketCity Bowl reaches halftime. 

End of Second Quarter Prediction: Houston 24, Penn State 20

Third Quarter: Penn State 27, Houston 27

Penn State will come out of halftime making some much-needed defensive adjustments.  Their main adjustment will be putting an end to their weak cover 2 defense and switching to a combo man/zone defense filled with lots and lots of blitz packages.

Penn State's defense and running game will win the third quarter.  Houston will drive down the field and into Penn State territory only once in the third quarter, thanks in large part to Penn State controlling the time of possession with its running game.  Houston will be held to a 35-plus yard field goal on its lone solid drive of the third quarter, extending its lead to 27-20.  

After going down by a touchdown, Penn State will once again turn to Redd and Green to help get a much-needed touchdown.  Penn State will ultimately score on a Green four-yard run near the end of the third quarter, tying the TicketCity Bowl up at 27-27 as it moves to the four and final quarter.

End of Third Quarter Prediction: Penn State 27, Houston 27  

Fourth Quarter: Penn State 37, Houston 34

After stopping the Houston Cougars on their first fourth-quarter possession by bringing the pressure to Keenum, the Nittany Lions will get a nice return from punt returner Justin Brown, which will ultimately result in an Anthony Fera 30-plus yard field goal.  The Fera field goal will move the score to 30-27 in favor of Penn State, giving the Nittany Lions their first lead after being up 3-0 early in the first quarter.

With Keenum finally feeling pressure from the NIttany Lions defense and feeling the pressure of winning his last collegiate game, he will move his Cougars down the field quickly.  Keenum will connect with wideouts Patrick Edwards, Justin Johnson and Tyron Carrier, moving the Cougars into the red zone with about seven minutes left in the game.  With the Cougars in the red zone, Keenum will make his first mistake of the game, which will prove costly.

On a quick fade route to Justin Johnson in the end zone, Penn State freshman cornerback Adrian Amos will jump the route, intercepting Keenum for the first time in the game and returning the interception for a touchdown with less than six minutes left in the game.  After the pick six, Penn State will take a commanding 37-27 lead over the Cougars.

Houston will score another touchdown on Penn State's prevent defense, with only seconds left on the clock.  Keenum will unfortunately end his collegiate career on a two-game losing streak at the hands of the Penn State NIttany Lions.

Final Prediction: Penn State 37, Houston 34