About Penn State

[NCHawker]

I've been thinking about this game (I know I know, why would I do that) and I think that PSU's strength is their Defensive front. #5 is a great playmaker and while their run game isn't awesome their RB is a stud. I pull my hair out watching Clifford and his QB draw. Just drives me crazy to see a QB pick up those yards.

I have a feeling the hawks can whip 'em. Not sure why. Maybe its punting, long field, turnover and short field.

Here's an analysis - check the College Football Nerds podcast.

 

[Fryowa]

I pull my hair out watching Clifford and his QB draw. Just drives me crazy to see a QB pick up those yards.

We’re not a send-the-house defense that blitzes a lot or sells out on the run, so to be honest we match up favorably against a wildcat or a QB draw pretty well.

Also, this is cliché, but there’s not a D coordinator in the country who I’d choose over Phil Parker to be analyzing PSU’s film. There’s some solace in that.

Like the old saying goes, control what you can control and whatever happens, happens. We have a truly elite defense led by the best in the biz, with players that are probably at the maximum of our recruiting and development potential. This is a game where if we get beat by their offense, there was literally nothing else we could do realistically to turn the tables in our favor.

 

[okeefe4prez]

I believe that if we keep this score within 69 points that we can hold our heads high and claim a moral victory. This is an unreal football team. They are better than us at every position with the possible exception of punter. I see 74-5. The bad mojo this forum has created with morons talking about winning the division, going to Indy, hypothetical matchups against elite SEC teams, etc. has me terrified.

 

[uihawk82]

I believe that if we keep this score within 69 points that we can hold our heads high and claim a moral victory. This is an unreal football team. They are better than us at every position with the possible exception of punter. I see 74-5. The bad mojo this forum has created with morons talking about winning the division, going to Indy, hypothetical matchups against elite SEC teams, etc. has me terrified.

The talk on these forums does not affect the games one iota.

 

[uihawk82]

We’re not a send-the-house defense that blitzes a lot or sells out on the run, so to be honest we match up favorably against a wildcat or a QB draw pretty well.

Also, this is cliché, but there’s not a D coordinator in the country who I’d choose over Phil Parker to be analyzing PSU’s film. There’s some solace in that.

Like the old saying goes, control what you can control and whatever happens, happens. We have a truly elite defense led by the best in the biz, with players that are probably at the maximum of our recruiting and development potential. This is a game where if we get beat by their offense, there was literally nothing else we could do realistically to turn the tables in our favor.

The only thing that would or could improve this defense is another one tenth of a second faster 40 speed for some of the back 7 but they are fast right now. If they were a little faster that would be terrifying to opposing offenses. Really our lnbkrs are faster than most.

The second thing is an extra 15 pounds of muscle on the DTackles. They are doing great as it is with their strength and great techniques but a little more weight while not losing speed would be again hard for opposing offenses.

 

[ssckelley]

I believe that if we keep this score within 69 points that we can hold our heads high and claim a moral victory. This is an unreal football team. They are better than us at every position with the possible exception of punter. I see 74-5. The bad mojo this forum has created with morons talking about winning the division, going to Indy, hypothetical matchups against elite SEC teams, etc. has me terrified.

You could just do what everyone else is doing and sacrifice some KFC.

 

[okeefe4prez]

The talk on these forums does not affect the games one iota.

Wrong. It sends bad vibes into the universe. Vibes that we don't need.

Let me take you back to October 22, 2005. Iowa was in the midst of a 20-some game home winning streak, the vast majority of which I had been in attendance for. This game was no different, I would be there. I had not showered before any game and I had a clothing rotation that I had worn to these games.

Now the night before that game, I had a turtle head do some damage so I felt I had to take a shower. It kissed my underwear, but I did not shit my pants just to make that clear, but I needed to freshen up. So I took a shower. And some asshat in the athletic department declared the game a blackout. I fell victim to peer pressure from my friends and wore black rather than my usual grey sweatshirt that had been worn in so many hard fought wins.

What happened? We lost. And the season completely fell apart because we lost the next week at Northwestern. We fell into a sustained funk from that point of 2005 through week 4 or so of 2008 because I thought I could tempt fate and change my routine.

It never fails. The more shit our fan base starts talking, the worse we play.

 

[ssckelley]

Wrong. It sends bad vibes into the universe. Vibes that we don't need.

Let me take you back to October 22, 2005. Iowa was in the midst of a 20-some game home winning streak, the vast majority of which I had been in attendance for. This game was no different, I would be there. I had not showered before any game and I had a clothing rotation that I had worn to these games.

Now the night before that game, I had a turtle head do some damage so I felt I had to take a shower. It kissed my underwear, but I did not shit my pants just to make that clear, but I needed to freshen up. So I took a shower. And some asshat in the athletic department declared the game a blackout. I fell victim to peer pressure from my friends and wore black rather than my usual grey sweatshirt that had been worn in so many hard fought wins.

What happened? We lost. And the season completely fell apart because we lost the next week at Northwestern. We fell into a sustained funk from that point of 2005 through week 4 or so of 2008 because I thought I could tempt fate and change my routine.

It never fails. The more shit our fan base starts talking, the worse we play.

Dig that grey sweatshirt back out and stop taking showers!

If Iowa loses on Saturday I'm gonna blame it on this story! Damn you Okeefe, dig out that damn sweatshirt and underwear!

 

[okeefe4prez]

Dig that grey sweatshirt back out and stop taking showers!

If Iowa loses on Saturday I'm gonna blame it on this story! Damn you Okeefe, dig out that damn sweatshirt and underwear!

The underwear are gone. I was staying at a buddy's and because the underwear had kissed the turtle head they looked pretty bad (but again I did not shit my pants). I threw them in one of the dumpsters in those apartments on Woodside Drive. The sweatshirt is also gone. It had become my lucky sweatshirt and it was threadbare by 2013 or so. My wife threw out three items of clothing that she hated that she said I wore too much: That sweatshirt, a grey members only jacket and a brown mesh hat that I got from the Boondocks USA truckstop on I-35. I'm still pissed.

 

[Luftgekuehlt67]

I've been thinking about this game (I know I know, why would I do that) and I think that PSU's strength is their Defensive front. #5 is a great playmaker and while their run game isn't awesome their RB is a stud. I pull my hair out watching Clifford and his QB draw. Just drives me crazy to see a QB pick up those yards.

I have a feeling the hawks can whip 'em. Not sure why. Maybe its punting, long field, turnover and short field.

Here's an analysis - check the College Football Nerds podcast.

That Football Nerds podcast was a good listen, I may sub.

They seem pretty convinced PSU is in big trouble.

I don't know about that, but I do have to wonder how much of PSUs swag comes from beating a mediocre Auburn team.

I know we're supposed to gasp in wide eyed astonishment when a Big Ten team beats any SEC team, but I'm just not convinced that's a particularly impressive victory.

As an interesting aside, Auburn hosts Georgia on Saturday afternoon. That will be an interesting score to keep an eye on while we wait for our games. If, as I suspect, Georgia runs Auburn off the field...well, then, hmm. If we see Auburn hanging tough...well, then, hmm again.

 

[Fryowa]

Wrong. It sends bad vibes into the universe. Vibes that we don't need.

Let me take you back to October 22, 2005. Iowa was in the midst of a 20-some game home winning streak, the vast majority of which I had been in attendance for. This game was no different, I would be there. I had not showered before any game and I had a clothing rotation that I had worn to these games.

Now the night before that game, I had a turtle head do some damage so I felt I had to take a shower. It kissed my underwear, but I did not shit my pants just to make that clear, but I needed to freshen up. So I took a shower. And some asshat in the athletic department declared the game a blackout. I fell victim to peer pressure from my friends and wore black rather than my usual grey sweatshirt that had been worn in so many hard fought wins.

What happened? We lost. And the season completely fell apart because we lost the next week at Northwestern. We fell into a sustained funk from that point of 2005 through week 4 or so of 2008 because I thought I could tempt fate and change my routine.

It never fails. The more shit our fan base starts talking, the worse we play.

Outstanding

 

[Motigerhawk]

Look, this is the best defense we have ever seen under a Parker. It is complete. The defense will allow an occasional 20 yard pass completion, maybe. But thats it.
We have a national championship defense, do not kid yourself. And we have a national championship special teams group. If the offense shows some life we are 13-0 and a contender.

 

[uihawk82]

PSU does not seem to have a really great running game according to analysts doing their games and some online articles. Some have said on here that Clifford is not a world beater passer. They do that a great receiver/returner. But I think they will have a tough time driving the field in smaller chunks against the hawks.

Brian F needs to find the pass routes the hawk receivers run well that match up to their pass coverage. PSU could be very tough on our run game which is off and on. And I have not heard of their Lbkrs being the top level that Lbkr Univ usually has. Will Brian do like Maryland and the 2nd qtr at ISU by throwing on early downs and then running when they back up the defense.

It could be a classic chess match and I think it will be close and probably low scoring in the low 20's.

 

[cincyhawk]

We’re not a send-the-house defense that blitzes a lot or sells out on the run, so to be honest we match up favorably against a wildcat or a QB draw pretty well.

Also, this is cliché, but there’s not a D coordinator in the country who I’d choose over Phil Parker to be analyzing PSU’s film. There’s some solace in that.

Like the old saying goes, control what you can control and whatever happens, happens. We have a truly elite defense led by the best in the biz, with players that are probably at the maximum of our recruiting and development potential. This is a game where if we get beat by their offense, there was literally nothing else we could do realistically to turn the tables in our favor.

Well, we could have had a senior-laden OLINE and a tall, fast WR. But you know.

Look, this is the best defense we have ever seen under a Parker. It is complete. The defense will aloow an occasional 20 yard pass completion, maybe. But thats it.
We have a national championship defense, do not kid yourself. And we have a national championship special teams group. If the offense shows some life we are 13-0 and a contender.

We. Need. A. Running. Game.

Iowa has to do what Gerogia did to Arkansas to truly be a contender. 5 yards a pop. Eat clock. Punish. That hasn't happened yet.

 

[justwinbaby]

Rewatched last year’s game and we struggled with the quarterback draw. They ran it over and over early in the game and picked up good yardage every time.

 

[haydensly]

Well, we could have had a senior-laden OLINE and a tall, fast WR. But you know.

We. Need. A. Running. Game.

Iowa has to do what Gerogia did to Arkansas to truly be a contender. 5 yards a pop. Eat clock. Punish. That hasn't happened yet.

I agree with your take. Really need the running game to be successful. I was encouraged by what we saw last week. Throw the ball on 1st and 2nd downs, which Maryland did expect or respect. It did open up the running game some and we had better blocking. I hope we can build on that this Saturday.

 

[JoeyLabasForPresident]

The bad mojo this forum has created with morons talking about winning the division, going to Indy, hypothetical matchups against elite SEC teams, etc. has me terrified.

Hey pal, you’re the moron for thinking any of us neck beards on an online message board have any affect on the outcome any given Saturday.

That and the SEC is filled with pretenders outside of the top two.

Now go book your trip to Indy and drink a beer, ya moron!

 

[HawkeyeDenis]

This is going to be a tough game. The one edge I can see for Iowa is that they are in Iowa City. Penn State is a well coached, disciplined team. We can expect them to play hard.
If they are within a touchdown of Iowa in the fourth Iowa is in danger. Penn State will play hard till the end.

 

[Luftgekuehlt67]

Tbh, the more I look, the more confident I feel. I was towing the, "aw, shucks, I'm just happy to be in the conversation" line coming into the week. Having done a bit of research now...I think we should probably beat these turkeys.

A tough, close game, sure, but I don't consider us any kind of underdog based on what we've seen so far. I've found a lot more indicators that PSU should be a bit nervous about than the other way around. And at our place too - any team with half a brain would be nervous about that to begin with.

I don't think they are chopped liver, but I suspect PSU is a tad overrated. Your typical college football observer doesn't know that though, we'd still get full credit. If we can be seen to have put a bit of a stomping on the #4 team in the country, the national narrative is going to enter a whole new phase.

Beginning of the season: possible Big Ten West contenders.

After IU and ISU thrashings: are these guys good or lucky?

After Maryland blowout: hey, they're actually pretty good.

After a decisive PSU victory: it's going to be full on CFP watch until we lose.

 

[Fryowa]

After a decisive PSU victory: it's going to be full on CFP watch until we lose.

Sucks but even if we have a better record I think there’s a 99% chance we still have to go through OSU. With their depth, athleticism, and experience being on that stage, I just don’t see it happening.

The last time they weren’t B1G champs CJ Beathard was our quarterback. A close loss to a really good Oregon team doesn’t put them out of the conversation in my book.

I will gladly eat crow, by the way.