Michigan State vs. Penn State Scouting Report and Prediction

A look at this week’s opponent… The Lions come into the game with what most experts think is a BCS Bowl bid on the line.  That doesn’t mean they are

A look at this week’s opponent…

The Lions come into the game with what most experts think is a BCS Bowl bid on the line.

 

That doesn’t mean they are invincible, it does mean that they are loaded with talent and it flows down to their two and three deep. They are led by one of the all-time great sports coaches in Joe Paterno, who has once again done a masterful job.

 

Joe Pa has, for over three decades, run his team as a corporation (yes, I know he has been there longer, but his current style is over three decades old) in that his coaches get a lot of room to coach within his game plan and it has worked.

 

When MSU has the ball…

The Lions have been taunted at times, in their two losses, when teams attacked. In those two losses, they have looked vulnerable. If the Spartans are to win, they have to attack. They can’t sit back and simply play a waiting game for PSU to make mistakes.

 

The Lions are a team with much more developed talent. You saw last year in the game at PSU that the Lions attacked from the moment they got on the field and decimated the Spartans. Two years ago here at the High Cathedral of the Spartan Nation, Spartan Stadium, they did the same, and then took their foot off of the gas.

 

The Spartans need to be aggressive. I love the Pound Green Pound attitude when you have the horse to run that race. MSU doesn’t. When they have had success, it is when they broke away from that and ran some tricks and skill sets that they aren’t necessarily known for.

 

Last year out of mercy for Brian Hoyer who was getting crushed, they went away from the pass and ran. Will PSU get to Cousins like Hoyer?

 

The Lions will come out on fire and ready for the fight, and they will pin their ears back and attack. When the Spartans have the ball, the OL will have to have their best game of the season.

 

When MSU is on defense…

The defensive backs will plain and simply have to have their best game of the year. Clark is dangerous, and the Lions are loaded everywhere and at every position.

 

Can the Spartans get a pass rush with four guys? They have to. If the Spartans are forced to blitz and blitz often, turn the lights out. Our DBs will once again have a long day.

 

The PSU OL and the MSU DL is where this side of the ball will be won. MSU has an emerging DL, but PSU has, at times, dominated much better defenses.

Intangibles…

Senior day is a big one here for the Spartans, but so is a BCS bowl for the Lions.

 

This game comes down to execution by the Spartan players. When they have, this team has won. When they haven’t, well, with Thanksgiving approaching I don’t want to ruin your appetite.

 

MSU will have to play better than they did against Iowa or have the Lions play much worse.

 

Prediction…

I sure hope I am wrong. Trust me on this when I say Saturday night I hope I am having a fresh dish of crow. I doubt it, PSU 23 MSU 17.

 

Pack your bags for Arizona and the Insight Bowl.