If there’s any kind of improvement in the PSU O’line Cliff should be able to stay clean in the pocket and pick the porous PU secondary apart and on the other side of the ball Diaz will dial up the pressure and lay a pounding on O’Connell all day. Hopefully Vellieux gets enough reps to show if he’s capable of carrying the team when Sean goes down later in the year.
PSU 39 - 23
O’ Game MVP - Clifford
D’ Game MVP - Brown
Sounds like Purdue is a mess right now.
It's currently a 3 point game. So, penn state should be able to hang 21 points on them. If Purdue wins this game its going to be a long season. Will have to be ready for Central Michigan. The point spread holds still with Penn State by 3 points.
Good grief!!!! So far, you have the best prediction! We better not give up more than 10 points to Purdue or it will be just that.....a long season!!
I am still working on my prediction. Didn't do so good last year, so I need to put some thought in this!!
GO STATE!
Purdue usually has a pretty good offense and they’re usually really good at QB. I can easily see them scoring 17 points against our defense especially being Diaz first game and us replacing quite a few players on the defense. What we need to do is get the ball in the end zone for 7 points 5 or 6 times.
As a first game with all the previous O line woes for the past 5 years, gamemgmt issues, new D coordinator, and those pesky special teams issues; I think it’s a toss up between two med tier teams at this point. I think what will show is significant improvement in areas of the game that have been a hindrance or same ol same ol.
Your point is well taken, Southern. I just feel that Diaz has had enough time, since he's been around over the winter & in the spring, to have our D comfortable with his system and they will do a real good job on the Boilermakers. I think the only way they score more than 10 on us is if we get a substantial lead (hopefully!) and we substitute down the depth chart to get backups to backups some game experience. That is not a bad thing as long as we keep control of the game.
I think our D matches up with Purdue's offense extremely well on paper. Our strength is our secondary, but we have a good front seven as well. LBs are a little green, but Purdue is throw happy and doesn't run that effectively.
However, we couldn't run at all last year either. Probably worse at it than Purdue. Luckily, their D is nothing to write home about either.
I know this is a cop out, but if our line is improved in the run game we will win big. With an effective running attack, our offense will be light years ahead of last year. 3 very good wideouts, a full year under Yurcich for Clifford, I think the offense could improve exponentially. However, it all hinges on the line, if run blocking is still as big of an issue as last year... Purdue could very well win the game.
I think the line WILL be better though, so I'll say 31-21 Penn State
Alright, here we go!! Penn State better post 40+ points on the Boilermakers! They had a pretty good season last year knocking off #2 and #3 Sparty and Whisky and then aloud the Buckeyes to post 59 points in a 59-31 loss. And then they had an ugly win against Illinois but hey, Penn State had an ugly loss against them at home. SO basically, nothing makes sense at all about both of these teams heading into next Thursday.
I am with you on our Defense vs their Offense. Last year our defense kept us in the games, but the offense just couldn't get it going at times. I think we see a similar defense again, MAYBE not quite as good to start, but good enough to keep them in the games early on. I am banking on the Penn State run game will have improved and I definitely think we have enough receivers to get big chunks of real estate at a clip.
Penn State is underestimated - and they deserve to be - but I think they earn respect one game at a time and it starts with Purdue.
Penn State...48
Purdue...10
GO STATE!!!
Wow, how generous to predict a 38 point beating. Giving too much breeds resentment, fear, and anger when things don't work out. You sound like a really nice guy.
But which way did he react?!?!?!?! Knowing is half the battle!
First games are always an unknown. I'd expect that even if we are dominant it would not be a large spread. Lets be honest if we get ahead we have to believe JF wants to show a running game and some ball control. I sure hope we can get 1-2 yards when we need it and can control the LOS.
Anywhere between losing by 6 and winning by 14.
I don’t like thinking we might lose by 6 guys 😂 just gettin the win is ok with me
Losing is NOT an option!! My goodness, we are talking about PURDUE! Yes, they have a decent ball team this year and a pretty solid QB. BUT, if Penn State is going to FINALLY make a run - this year or next - then any losses need to be against upper tier programs like Ohio State or Michigan this year. Sparty is another team that Penn State has to get by this year.
We keep hearing about ALL of these good recruits coming in, a new talented DC, a 5th year QB that should be a factor in the Big10 and some great talent on both sides of the ball. That leaves me to believe that if we have Talented Coaches, then this years team should have NO more than 2 losses! And one of THOSE of losses can't happen in the FIRST 5 games!!
Yes, we lost some good players last year....no doubt about it. But we have some good ones coming back too and good enough to win all but 1 or 2 games during the season. Again, I feel this years team is capable of making some noise in the country. I don't think the playoffs are an option, but finishing the year with 2 or 3 losses would set them up for a great run in 2023-2024!
I am sure I am out of line with my 48-10 prediction against Purdue. But I am giving Cliff the benefit of the doubt that he can rise up and make some things happen this year! And it STARTS next Thursday night!!!!!
GO STATE!!!!!
Exclamation point, quotation mark, colon, semi-colon, ditto marks......anything and everything except a question mark, lol.
First games are always an unknown. I'd expect that even if we are dominant it would not be a large spread. Lets be honest if we get ahead we have to believe JF wants to show a running game and some ball control. I sure hope we can get 1-2 yards when we need it and can control the LOS.
Anywhere between losing by 6 and winning by 14.
Pretty much in the middle of my prediction but in reality much closer to losing.
