Outback Bowl '11: LBU Staff Predictions

The time has come. Here are our picks for tomorrow's Outback Bowl.

Galen

My prediction rests on the notion that the Florida players actually care that their coach is retiring (yes, yes shoot me for bringing it up). If they give a crap about Urban, and that may be up for argument, then they will come out fast. Penn State will have to weather the storm and keep it manageable until the game sets in. Statistically speaking on paper it should be fairly close. Florida has some horrendous offensive stats (80th in total offense 86th in passing) as does Penn State. The Gators fare a little better on the defensive side but Penn State has been banged up so much this season that it's hard to judge their less that Penn State-esque defensive stats and the Lions will be as healthy as they have been all season. If the Irish Potato cannon can get a couple deep throws in early, and you know he's never seen a deep bomb he hasn't liked, then Penn State has a chance. I think Penn State wins a close one.

Penn State 21 - Florida 17

LBU Staff Predictions: Michigan State at Penn State

Evan Royster could go out a winner, or...
we hope. (Photo: Mike/LBU)

Here is our weekly prognosticating, this time on a very full stomach...

Galen

This game will come down to one thing: coaching. It’s painfully obvious that Penn State has two coaching philosophies: 1) Conservative on both sides of the ball or 2) aggressive on both sides of the ball. The two sides seem to be in synch as well. Against Ohio State Penn State came out guns a blazin’ and roared out to a two score lead. The offense was throwing on first down and the defense was blitzing and they had great success. Then both sides went into a conservative shell, blitzes were no longer called and Jay Paterno dialed up the “mash the running back into the center of the line for two plays, desperation 3rd and long incompletion, punt” offense that goes nowhere. The same thing happened against Indiana once the Hoosiers tied it up but luckily Penn State’s special teams saved the day and got momentum back. It’s really that simple, call a conservative game against a top 10 team and you will LOSE. Come out playing aggressive with a nothing to lose attitude and Penn State will win. I’m betting on the former.

Odd stat of the game: Michigan State is 1st in the conference in punt returns and dead last in kickoff returns and they are led by the same guy (Keshawn Martin). Try to explain that one.

Penn State 17 – Michigan State 27

LBU Staff Predictions: Penn State at Indiana

Evan Royster should have a
field day against the Hoosiers...
we hope. (Photo: Mike/LBU)

Another terrible defense, probably another Penn State win. How do we know this? This is how...

Galen

Penn State will probably be without Michael Mauti which scares the hell out of me because this defense is completely different without him. I expect it to be a high scoring game for that reason and I’m just hoping Penn State can score a lot. I’m pretty sure we’ll see the same slow start we always see because it’s a noon game so we’ve got that going for us. As for Indiana, they will get their points but which team shows up? Will we see the team that came within a dropped pass of beating Iowa or will we see the team that got bitchslapped by Wisconsin to the tune of 83 points? I’m confident Penn State can win but I’m still a bit concerned.

Penn State 35 – Indiana 17

Mike

Penn State probably isn't as bad as last week's final score suggested. But it's also not as good as the three games before suggested, either. Indiana won't be much of a test for this team, even though the Hoosiers traditionally get up and play well against Penn State. The last two years--both 11-win seasons for PSU--Indiana played the Lions tough, both times in the confines of Beaver Stadium. Penn State, even without Michael Mauti, should be able to slow or stop a very one-dimensional Indiana offense. And the Hoosiers' defense is worse than Michigan's. No matter the quarterback, Penn State should cover the spread (-10) in this one. Too bad even though the game will be played 45 minutes from my place, I won't be there to see it.

Penn State 34 – Indiana 20

Yeah, it was a busy week for the crew. We'll be back to full force for MSU.

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LBU Staff Predictions: Penn State at Ohio State (updated)

It's time to make ourselves look silly. In fact, it would be wonderful if all of our predictions this week turned out to be dead wrong.

Can Penn State's defense
slow down Terrelle Pryor?
(Photo: Mike/LBU)

Galen

Penn State has made steady improvement as the season progressed, even the most bitter, JoePa-hating, flaming message board troll has to admit that but they are just not on Ohio State’s level. The THE Poisonous Nuts are more talented and more experienced in almost every aspect of the game. They aren’t invincible, as Wisconsin has shown us, but they are pretty damn good. For Penn State to win they will have to win the turnover battle, get spectacular special teams play (which they’ve done in almost all their games this season), and hope for a big day from the offensive line. I would like to predict a big upset but I just don’t see it happening. Penn State has faced two multi-dimension quarterbacks the last two weeks and has failed to keep contain. Unlike the last two weeks this team has a fantastic defense, if the Lions give up 21 first half points the game is over. I just hope Penn State fans don’t come out of this game ready to jump off the ledge because it’s going to be a loss.

Ohio State 27 – Penn State 14

LBU Staff Predictions: Northwestern at Penn State (updated)

Will Joe get No. 400? We tell you RIGHT [WHOOSH] NOW [GONG!]...

It's go time...

Galen

LBU Staff Predictions: Michigan at Penn State (updated)

In just about 24 hours, Penn State and Michigan will have at it under the lights. The end product is anyone's guess. So, naturally, we present guesses galore!

Evan Royster is just 31 yards from the record, and
Michigan's defense could be just what he needs to sail past the mark.
(Photo: AnnArbor.com)

Galen

The key for Penn State is getting out to a fast start, it’s a night game and a white out so they should come out pumped. Unfortunately, we all know what we’re going to see on defense: the horrendous cover 2 that will allow Robinson to eat away big chunks of yardage both on the ground running and through the air. Really he’ll have his pick. There’s no way Penn State will play man to man and take the chance that Robinson will run a draw when several DB’s have their backs turned to him. So just go into the game knowing we’re gonna see plenty of offense from Michigan.

With McGloin starting it really adds a different feel to Penn State’s offense. Even if the coaches call short pass plays look for Matt to look down field at every opportunity he gets because he likes to sling the ball. That could be a good thing or it could be a bad thing, the key is he can’t get so pumped that he starts trying to force the ball like he did last week. Sadly we all know how this game will start, Penn State will come out and mash the ball at the center of the line 2x and then try to throw on third and long.

This game will come down to turnovers, if there are none Penn State loses. It’s always important for your defense to force turnovers but against Michigan it’s crucial. If Penn State wants to win this game they will have to win the turnover battle, but I don’t see it happening.

Penn State 21 - Michigan 27

Mike

LBU Staff Predictions: Penn State at Minnesota

Our weekly prognosticating and score predictions. Up this week: The Golden Gophers of Minnesota.

Coming off a bye week, facing a down-and-out opponent, it's the perfect recipe for Penn State to get back on the winning track. Or is it? Well, that's why we're here.

(Photo: Eric Miller/University of Minnesota)

 Full Game Preview

Galen

Both teams are looking for and identity Saturday, one lost its coach and the other lost a bunch of starters to injury but both are in desperate need of a win. I think the difference will be attitude; Penn State isn’t used to people questioning their heart and drive and I think the week off will be about as good for the psyche as will be for the body.

Look for Penn State to come out with a purpose, they’ve been reading bad press for two weeks. That doesn’t mean I’m predicting a blowout, with the injuries on defense the Lions are gonna give up points but I think Penn State will play much more inspired.

Penn State 24 – Minnesota 17

Mike

LBU Staff Predictions: Illinois at Penn State

Updated 11:00 p.m.

Penn State needs its edge rushing specialists,
like LB Nate Stupar (34) and DE Pete Massaro (59)
to have a strong game this week.

Our weekly prognosticating and score predictions. Maybe this week Penn State can has some winnage?

 Full Game Preview

Galen

I stated in my Blue & White Roundtable discussion this week that Penn State and Illinois are both at the bottom of the Big Ten in offense and both are near the top in Defense. Both teams are relatively evenly matched on special teams although the Fighting Illini have a great punter.

I honestly think with Penn State’s red zone problems this will be a close game and Wagner will probably have to bail us out yet again. Having said all that I think Penn State will win; Illinois blew their wad against Ohio State and I don’t expect them to play that good two weeks in a row.

Penn State 20 – Illinois 10

Mike

LBU Staff Predictions: Penn State at Iowa

Penn State travels to Iowa City tomorrow to face the Pig-Head-Chucking, Helmet-Stealing torrent in Kinnick Stadium. You don't think Iowa fans are salivating for this game? With a Penn State offensive line probably worse than last season's unit, and a bit of both history and luck on Iowa's side, this one shouldn't be any real toss-up. But is it? We'll tell you.. RIGHT NOW!

Penn State could come close, but beating Iowa seems to be just out of reach this year...

LBU Staff Predictions: Temple at Penn State

The non-conference season wraps up for our Nittany Lions, as in-state "rivals" the Temple Owls roll into Happy Valley. Temple is in the midst of one of its best winning records in decades, while Penn State is still struggling to find itself. Is an upset brewing? Here are our thoughts on the game, with a little score prediction action.

Penn State's defense can't improve much on last week's shutout performance, but you never know...

LBU Staff Predictions: Kent State at Penn State

Penn State returns home after a rough trip to Tuscaloosa. This week is a bit different, as Kent State comes to town with one of the better defenses in the nation, but a much, much less potent offense than the Crimson Tide fielded last week. Here are our thoughts on the game, with a little score prediction action.

LBU Staff Predictions: Penn State at Alabama

Penn State will take the field tomorrow night in Tuscaloosa, for a matchup that's getting an awful lot of hype, considering no one is predicting Penn State to come within two touchdowns of the Crimson Tide. Still, we give our thoughts on the game, with a little score prediction action.

Can Evan Royster lead Penn State to a win at No. 1 Alabama?

LBU Staff Predictions: Youngstown State, PSU's 2010 Overall Record

What, you thought we weren't going to do this? Shame on you. We have far too much smuggy blogger pride to forego laying it all on the line with some score predictions for the game tomorrow.

Say it with us... "backups"

Full Game Preview: YSU @ PSU

Galen

Youngstown State: