rmsutherland
Well-Known Member
Anyone see this post in Rittenberg's Big Ten Mailblog? It's hilarious. We might not as well show up. Penn State's going to dominate with all of their advantages....
Kelly from Manassas, Va., writes: I think you took it too far when you said Iowa enters Saturday's game with most of the advantages. Penn State holds many key advantages. Penn State enters the game with the better defense and for the first time in several years, an edge on special teams, which cost them last year's game against a lesser Iowa squad. Penn State also has a big advantage in team speed which they haven't used the last two years against lesser Iowa teams due to field conditions and the weather is looking ideal for Saturday. They also have a big edge in terms of talent, especially at the offensive skill positions and in the secondary. If Penn State wins on Saturday, it will not be an upset.
Adam Rittenberg: Here you go again, Kelly. Penn State doesn't have the better defense at this point. Iowa has a more dynamic defensive line and better safeties, led by Tyler Sash. I give Penn State the edge at cornerback and maybe linebacker, although I need to see more from both groups. Penn State certainly has a better situation at kicker entering the game, as Collin Wagner has been excellent. But Iowa has the better punter (Ryan Donahue). The return teams are about even. As for the "big advantage in team speed," I don't agree. Both teams have speed, and I'd like to see a lot more of Devon Smith with the ball. Penn State doesn't have a big advantage. While I really like Penn State's receiving corps, Iowa has Derrell Johnson-Koulianos and Marvin McNutt, plus a better tight end in Allen Reisner, who already has 14 receptions. Can Penn State win at Kinnick? Absolutely. But Kelly, you're just wrong on this one, and most of your fellow Penn State fans would agree that a win Saturday constitutes an upset.
http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten
Kelly from Manassas, Va., writes: I think you took it too far when you said Iowa enters Saturday's game with most of the advantages. Penn State holds many key advantages. Penn State enters the game with the better defense and for the first time in several years, an edge on special teams, which cost them last year's game against a lesser Iowa squad. Penn State also has a big advantage in team speed which they haven't used the last two years against lesser Iowa teams due to field conditions and the weather is looking ideal for Saturday. They also have a big edge in terms of talent, especially at the offensive skill positions and in the secondary. If Penn State wins on Saturday, it will not be an upset.
Adam Rittenberg: Here you go again, Kelly. Penn State doesn't have the better defense at this point. Iowa has a more dynamic defensive line and better safeties, led by Tyler Sash. I give Penn State the edge at cornerback and maybe linebacker, although I need to see more from both groups. Penn State certainly has a better situation at kicker entering the game, as Collin Wagner has been excellent. But Iowa has the better punter (Ryan Donahue). The return teams are about even. As for the "big advantage in team speed," I don't agree. Both teams have speed, and I'd like to see a lot more of Devon Smith with the ball. Penn State doesn't have a big advantage. While I really like Penn State's receiving corps, Iowa has Derrell Johnson-Koulianos and Marvin McNutt, plus a better tight end in Allen Reisner, who already has 14 receptions. Can Penn State win at Kinnick? Absolutely. But Kelly, you're just wrong on this one, and most of your fellow Penn State fans would agree that a win Saturday constitutes an upset.
http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten
