NFL
By: Courtney Walsh
The State of Penn State:
What up Penn State football fans! It is rare in life we get a second chance to reach a goal and when you do you have to make the most of it, which is where our team is at the moment. The game against Ohio State was full of almost plays, and could of should of moments but ended in a loss and a lot of trash talk from Buckeye fans. But, the preseason chatter of a College Football playoff berth is NOT dead and here we are presented with another opportunity to shake off the demons of the past and return to real college football glory. And our opponent is ripe for the picking as Michigan comes to Beaver Stadium covered in a cloud of darkness and pressure which could mean a lack of focus or laser-like focus the answer we will see on the field Saturday. Let’s check out the details, shall we?
When: November 11th, 2023 at 12:00pm EST
TV: FOX
Location: Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania
James Franklin vs Jim Harbaugh:
We all know the record of Coach Franklin in big games and that needs to improve yesterday. The biggest issue is that in these games his offense has not been good enough to put points on the board or make the plays when it matters most. We can’t have Kaytron Allen averaging 2.9 yards per carry as he did versus Ohio State. I still recall staring at my screen as we went 1 for 16 on third downs The word on Franklin is he falls apart against elite defenses and that is what he faces on Saturday. If you watch his press conferences this season he is dying for a shot to get the W and shut up his critics.
On the other hand, is anyone in sports under more stress right now than Jim Harbaugh? With the entire Big Ten against him and claiming his team has cheated its way to the top of the league. Will he be able to coach the rest of the season, and if not how will his team react? The questions are many and the answers are few for the Wolverines. The one thing they have going for themselves is that this won’t be the first time they play without their headman after the self-imposed suspension he had earlier in the season, plus this team is super talented and could get past most curveballs thrown at them.
Hopefully, Franklin REALLY learned from his mistakes against Ohio State and puts the peddle to the medal gets the monkey off his back and leads the Nittany Lions to a dub. 3-16 vs top 10 teams and 1-13 vs Ohio State and Michigan teams that are ranked in the top 10. JAMES ENOUGH!
Can You Pass The Test?
I am right there with Coach James Franklin when he says the Michigan QB JJ McCarthy has not been challenged this season by the defensives he has faced. Well, he better hit the books this week because we are coming with the wood my man, and then some. After giving up 400 yards on the ground last year that will not and can not happen again. Stuff the run and make McCarthy as uncomfortable as possible Kalen King can use this game to remind the NFL that he should be on every team’s radar.
Abdul Carter will lead the linebackers group and he has to show up BIG on Saturday along with the defensive line which will need to cause pressure and stay disciplined in their rushes McCarthy is mobile and can burn you if you aren’t careful. All the sexy stats for the Penn State defense mean nothing if we get blow out again and end up fighting for some insert name here bowl game. The same holds true for Michigan and its offense if they lay an egg and can’t score points. All signs point to Chop Robinson giving it a go on Saturday.
Michigan and Penn State are the only two teams in the country with a Top 10:
✅ Scoring offense
✅ Scoring defense
✅ Turnover marginWho's coming out on top in this epic matchup this weekend? 🍿 pic.twitter.com/WBhkSFdu0a
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 8, 2023
Offense Show Up:
Was the offensive performance last Saturday what we can expect moving forward? Drew Allar dropping back and dropping balls in the bucket standing tall in the pocket and sharing the wealth with his weapons. That fade to Dante Cephus needs to be put in the 2024 hype video for sure and running the ball with purpose. Great way to tuneup before you face a Michigan defense that is full of dudes who will be playing on Sundays and want to get to the final four.
Could Allar have turned the corner in his season and now the game is slowing down for him as the great ones all say it does when you figure it out. I say end the running back rotation and stick with one guy and that’s Kaytron Allen. Why you ask? He is the better runner, good out of the backfield, and solid pass protector. He could wear down the Michigan defense and then you throw in Singleton to pop off a huge run and a change of pace. We don’t need some 300-yard passing day from Drew or both backs to gain 100 yards, we need to be better than what we have been and feed off the Maryland performance and the home crowd.
We are the best offense they have faced all season so far and no one has scored more than ONE touchdown versus this Wolverine defense. That is impressive, to be honest but who really pushed them honestly?
Prediction:
I am always hopeful we can find a way to win each and everygame we play. Take off my fan hat and use the eye test our offense has been too inconsitent to put up the points needed to beat this high quality of a opponent. That being said it will take us winning the turnover battle and maybe a special teams play to get a win. The place is going to be on FIRE and that will add some extra juice to the players on the field. You can steal signs, but you can’t steal passion and heart Penn State 20-Michigan 17. Enjoy the game and the other matchups on Saturday. #WeAre
