Penn St. vs Northwestern Handicapping
Penn State has been bit by the injury bug this year. In hindsight, it should have been a sign of things to come when Joe Paterno was injured in August practice.
The Nittany Lions are without some of their best players as they head to Evanston to take on the Wildcats. Northwestern had high expectations for this season, but they sit at just 2-4.
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Ryan Field
Saturday October 22, 7:00 PM EST
NCAA Football Odds from BetOnline
Moneyline: Off
College Football Spread: Penn State -4 (-110) Northwestern +4 (-110)
Over/Under: 47.5
Pat Fitzgerald’s team really needs to start putting some wins together if they are going to go bowling this year. I expect this to be a very good game.
Matt McGloin and Rob Bolden have been sharing the quarterback duties for Penn State. Bolden has been starting the last few games, but McGloin has come in and taken a lot of snaps on a weekly basis. McGloin has put up better numbers overall, but neither quarterback has been tremendous. Derek Moye is the team’s best play maker offensively, but he will miss this contest with a foot injury. Silas Redd has done a solid job as the Nittany Lions primary ball carrier, but backup Brandon Beachum is listed as questionable for this game.
The Nittany Lions defense is the strength of this team. Unfortunately, they haven’t been able to avoid the injury bug. Michael Mauti was the heart and soul of this defense from his linebacker spot, but he will miss the rest of the season with torn ligaments in his knee. Still, this is a defense that is one of the best in the conference, especially against the pass. Despite the front seven not generating much of a pass rush, the secondary is giving up just 161 passing yards per game.
Dan Persa is one of the best quarterbacks in the nation when healthy, but he hasn’t been completely healthy this year. Persa has shared time with Kain Colter because of his injury issues, but Persa is getting the majority of the snaps at this point. Persa is completing 75% of his passes this year, and he has all the tools to pick apart a defense. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Jeremy Ebert already has 39 receptions and six touchdowns on the season. Starting running back Mike Trumpy is out for the season with a torn ACL, and the Wildcats need to get some improved production from the tailback spot in order to take pressure off the quarterbacks.
The Wildcats have really struggled defensively in 2011. Northwestern is currently ranked 101st in the nation in total defense. They have been beaten by power running teams as well as opponents who simply air it out offensively. It would really help this defense if they could find some kind of a pass rush. The secondary is being forced to cover their man for far too long right now. This defense must improve if Northwestern is going to reach a bowl game this season.
Northwestern jumped out to a 21-0 lead in Happy Valley last year before the Nittany Lions scored 35 straight to win 35-21. The Wildcats really need this game, and the night game in front of the home crowd should really help them.
Free College Football Pick: Northwestern +4
Score Prediction: Northwestern 24 Penn State 21
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