Graphics from The Helmet Project
KICKOFF: 3:30 p.m. Beaver Stadium, University Park, Pa.
TELEVISION: ABC, national telecast (Ch. 7 WJLA in D.C.) Brad Nessler and Todd Blackledge (National Championship winning Penn State QB) and Holly Rowe are the crew.
This week, Penn State faces its marquee non-conference opponent, the Crimson Tide of Alabama who visit Beaver Stadium for the first time since 1989. The less said about that matchup, the better. The two storied programs met each other annually from 1980-1989 following two Sugar Bowl matchups in the late 1970s which also need not be brought up again.
Alabama throttled Penn State last year in Tuscaloosa, beating them 24-3 when they could have easily dropped 40 points on them. The Nittany Lions are an improved team over last year and not starting a freshman quarterback. Whether now-sophomore Rob Bolden or walk-on junior Matt McGloin gets the nod tomorrow afternoon has not been determined. Either way, both are expected to play.
Penn State also boasts an upgrade at running back. Silas Redd is explosive and powerful and seems to have a better offensive line in front of him than last year. If the line can give him some room for a big day, Penn State has a shot. On the other side of the ball, Penn State’s defense seems stronger than last year, particularly at linebacker, but the defensive line is going to be the story. If they can hold their own against Trent Richardson, who had a huge night against Penn State last year, they have a chance. Alabama is also indecisive about their starting quarterback with A.J. McCarron and Phillip Sims slitting duty last week. Between the two of them, they threw 4 interceptions. If Penn State is to win, they need to get some interceptions of their own. With the likelihood of wet conditions, the Nittany Lions have to find a way to create Crimson Tide turnovers and not many of their own.
As I said, in this week’s Blue White Roundtable, I believe Alabama will win. I think they are simply a better team right now. Penn State should make a game of it — just enough to make it hurt. Then again, Beano Cook said Bama would win by 3, so I feel a little more optimistic.
Joe Paterno really wants this one. He knows it is likely his last meeting with Alabama and he wants to go out a winner. He could never beat Bear Bryant head-to-head and that stuck with him. Beating Alabama might be a little bit of comfort, plus he wants to win any way. Either way, a good showing by the blue and white could be a springboard to a strong season. After this, they will be favored almost weekly until November. If they realize they can hang with a top 5 program, they should be confident moving forward, particularly come November when they have to play Nebraska and then Ohio State and Wisconsin on the road to close out the season.
GO STATE, BEAT BAMA!