Penn State Nittany Lions at Minnesota Golden Gophers
We have wondered for weeks whether this game would be played today and then we need to know what channel it would be broadcast on. It turns out the game will be played, at noon, on ESPN Regional. In D.C., the game is being shown on MASN. Who’d have thunk it?
Penn State Gameday Central – Intercollegiate Athletics
LAST WEEK
Penn State struggled inside red zone but got good kicking from Kevin Kelly, strong running from Tony Hunt and a record breaking day from Deon Butler to drop 33 on the Mildcats of Northwestern. The defense was stout as well, yielding only 7 points.
THIS WEEK’S OPPONENT: MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS
If things continue to proceed in this series the way they have we might have a rivalry on our hands. Going back as far as 1997 there have been some pretty intense games between the two schools. In the ’97 edition , the Gophers nearly upset #1 Penn State before the Lions rallied late to win 16-15. That was the game that Aaron Harris got his ACL destroyed by a Tyrone Carter great tackle. I will not discuss 1999 as it is still too painful to think about 7 years later. The 2003 matchup, a 20-14 loss for the Blue and White, was also incredibly frusterating to the Lions, who had a chance to win at the end and blew it, cauisng Fran Ganter to throw off his headset and disgust. One year later was not much better as the Nittany Lions stunk up the Metrodome with no offense and fell 16-7.
Last year, the tide turned with a furious wave of Penn State offense led by Michael Robinson. It was the first statement game of last season with Robinson dramatically asserting himself as the team leader and quarterback. His hit on Brandon Owens set the tone for the rest of the season as the Lions rolled to 11-1.
This is likely the last visit to the Metrodome for the Nittany Lions. The Golden Gophers move outdoors to an on-campus facility in a couple of years. Good for them.
NO RANKING
Penn State is still unraked in the major college polls.
PRESS CONFERENCE
Transcript | Audio (Fight On State)
IMPORTANT ARTICLES
BEANO WATCH
Carroll H. Cook (’54 Pitt) had more say about Penn State this week.
Scott (New York City): What has changed at Michigan? Are the coaches finally letting the players play the game and not playing not to lose? Or is their new success from some other source?
SportsNation Beano Cook: (3:14 PM ET ) Michigan usually plays Notre Dame in a non-conference game and that is not easy. They play Ohio State and Penn State every year. The criticism of Lloyd Carr has been unfair. Michigan has a lot of things going for them and maybe they should have done better in past years, but I think they have confidence and a healthy Mike Hart. I am the only person who feels they should be concerned with the night game against Penn State. Paterno has had very little luck against Michigan. Give Michigan’s defense some credit too…The Wolverines have not allowed one rushing TD all season.
Beano is correct that Michigan should be concerned with Penn State because it is a nasty to place to play at night. My hope is Michigan won’t be and gets ambushed.
Dave, Ann Arbor: How do you see Michigan finishing? Can they go undefeated, or do I need to prepared for a stumble (or two)?
SportsNation Beano Cook: (3:43 PM ET ) I think if I had to make a prediction now, I would say Michigan would enter the Ohio State game unbeaten, and I did not feel that way going into the season. I still feel Penn State has the potential to give them a very tough game.
Penn State has frequently given Michigan tough games, but always find a way to lose, usually with help from the zebras.
TELEVISION
The contest is being televised by ESPN Regional at 12:00 p.m. MASN has actually picked up the game for the D.C. region which will be very odd.
WEATHER
Their playing a that wussy domed stadium.
MORE COVERAGE
PREDICTIONS
Prior to last year, Penn State had not played well on the road for several years and so far they are 0-2 away from Happy Valley. Granted those two loses were to top 3 teams, but still it represents a troubling trend. Minnesota will be very fired up because of what happened to Brandon Owens last year. Put that all together and it is what I call an Admiral Ackbar game — it’s a TWAP! Nevertheless,
I expect Penn State to win 26-13.
IN CLOSING
Go STATE, beat Gophers!