IceBoxGopher
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The York (PA) Daily Record has Penn State winning 24-16
There are things working in Penn State's favor here, no matter the quarterback or how bad last week looked in Michigan. This offers a mode of recovery and redemption, which should be a powerful motivator. So should the prime-time White Out environment.
Plus, the Lions know last year. As in what can happen when you start 5-0, then lose a game you fully-expected not to − then carry your disappointment and listlessness into the following week. They know what it feels like for a season to collapse. For folks to be breathing fire at their head coach who has seemed a bit lost since a triumphant end to 2019.
Expect the leaders such as Clifford and PJ Mustipher and Ji'Ayir Brown to draw a line in the sand with their teammates, particularly the youngest, starry ones. This all means this: A motivated, energized Penn State team, no matter its exact expertise at the moment, should be able to grind its way past a less-talented side with just as many issues.
It may not look as sharp as many would hope or even expect. But delivering just enough at this moment will suffice for now, welcomingly so. If nothing other than they know how the alternative feels.
The Daily Gopher (SB Nation) has Penn State winning 19-10
Minnesota went from averaging 45 points per game through the first four games to averaging 12 points per game in their last two contests, both of which were losses. Against Purdue, the Gophers’ ground game came to a screeching halt without Mohamed Ibrahim. The following week against Illinois, Ibrahim returned but the Illini defense took the oxygen out of Minnesota’s air attack, limiting them to 38 yards passing and forcing three interceptions.
Redshirt freshman Athan Kaliakmanis was responsible for throwing two of those interceptions after being forced into action due to the upper body injury that forced starting quarterback Tanner Morgan out of the game in the fourth quarter. Head coach P.J. Fleck has been customarily tight-lipped about Morgan’s status aside from a vague update at his Monday press conference.
Kaliakmanis drawing his first career start in Happy Valley would certainly not be ideal. Aside from the hostile environment, Kaliakmanis would be facing one of the most talented secondaries in the Big Ten. Redshirt senior safety Ji’Ayir Brown is the star of the Nittany Lions’ secondary, leading the team in tackles (34) and tied for the team lead in interceptions (2).
Redshirt junior Joey Porter Jr. is their top-rated cornerback, with a team-high seven pass break-ups, though sophomore Kalen King is far behind with six of his own. Penn State gives up a fair amount of yards through the air (242.5 passing yards allowed per game), but they buckle down in the red zone, only allowing three passing touchdowns in 21 red zone trips.
With how much the Minnesota wide receiver corps struggled to create separation against Illinois, I’m not sure I like their chances of bouncing back against Penn State. Against the run, the Nittany Lions got steamrolled by Michigan’s offensive line last week, paving the way for 418 total rushing yards. Ibrahim should be able to find room to run, but Minnesota’s offensive line isn’t nearly as overpowering as Michigan’s. He will have to earn every yard, especially if the Gophers can’t force Penn State to respect the pass.
I just don’t have much confidence in the Gophers’ offense at this point, especially if Tanner Morgan is unable to play. Expecting a redshirt freshman quarterback to lead your team to victory on the road in his first career start seems like a big ask.
There are things working in Penn State's favor here, no matter the quarterback or how bad last week looked in Michigan. This offers a mode of recovery and redemption, which should be a powerful motivator. So should the prime-time White Out environment.
Plus, the Lions know last year. As in what can happen when you start 5-0, then lose a game you fully-expected not to − then carry your disappointment and listlessness into the following week. They know what it feels like for a season to collapse. For folks to be breathing fire at their head coach who has seemed a bit lost since a triumphant end to 2019.
Expect the leaders such as Clifford and PJ Mustipher and Ji'Ayir Brown to draw a line in the sand with their teammates, particularly the youngest, starry ones. This all means this: A motivated, energized Penn State team, no matter its exact expertise at the moment, should be able to grind its way past a less-talented side with just as many issues.
It may not look as sharp as many would hope or even expect. But delivering just enough at this moment will suffice for now, welcomingly so. If nothing other than they know how the alternative feels.
The Daily Gopher (SB Nation) has Penn State winning 19-10
Minnesota went from averaging 45 points per game through the first four games to averaging 12 points per game in their last two contests, both of which were losses. Against Purdue, the Gophers’ ground game came to a screeching halt without Mohamed Ibrahim. The following week against Illinois, Ibrahim returned but the Illini defense took the oxygen out of Minnesota’s air attack, limiting them to 38 yards passing and forcing three interceptions.
Redshirt freshman Athan Kaliakmanis was responsible for throwing two of those interceptions after being forced into action due to the upper body injury that forced starting quarterback Tanner Morgan out of the game in the fourth quarter. Head coach P.J. Fleck has been customarily tight-lipped about Morgan’s status aside from a vague update at his Monday press conference.
Kaliakmanis drawing his first career start in Happy Valley would certainly not be ideal. Aside from the hostile environment, Kaliakmanis would be facing one of the most talented secondaries in the Big Ten. Redshirt senior safety Ji’Ayir Brown is the star of the Nittany Lions’ secondary, leading the team in tackles (34) and tied for the team lead in interceptions (2).
Redshirt junior Joey Porter Jr. is their top-rated cornerback, with a team-high seven pass break-ups, though sophomore Kalen King is far behind with six of his own. Penn State gives up a fair amount of yards through the air (242.5 passing yards allowed per game), but they buckle down in the red zone, only allowing three passing touchdowns in 21 red zone trips.
With how much the Minnesota wide receiver corps struggled to create separation against Illinois, I’m not sure I like their chances of bouncing back against Penn State. Against the run, the Nittany Lions got steamrolled by Michigan’s offensive line last week, paving the way for 418 total rushing yards. Ibrahim should be able to find room to run, but Minnesota’s offensive line isn’t nearly as overpowering as Michigan’s. He will have to earn every yard, especially if the Gophers can’t force Penn State to respect the pass.
I just don’t have much confidence in the Gophers’ offense at this point, especially if Tanner Morgan is unable to play. Expecting a redshirt freshman quarterback to lead your team to victory on the road in his first career start seems like a big ask.
