BlueWhiteIllustrated.com - BWI Staff Picks'Em

October 31, 2009

BWI Staff

Is this the dreaded 'trap game' that some Penn State fans are worried it might be? The BWI staff discusses the Nittany Lions' chances to improve to 8-1 with a win tomorrow afternoon.

Which team will end up as the victor? Our BWI staff decides, right here!

Sean Fitz
Blue White Illustrated Recruiting Analyst
2009 Record - 7-1

For those expecting a trap game, I wouldn't hold your breath. Where the Wildcats are good, the Nittany Lions are better. Where the Nittany Lions are good, the Wildcats need some work.

In Big Ten play, Northwestern is giving up 27 points per game, and they are giving up over 350 yards per contest. That should play right into the Nittany Lions' hands, as Daryll Clark and the Penn State offensive are running full-bore right now.

Should Evan Royster get going early, the Nittany Lions could end up rolling at Ryan Field.

But if they get up early, the Nittany Lions need to keep their collective feet on the gas. Northwestern fell behind 28-3 last week, but ended up on top of Indiana, 29-28. While the Hoosiers don't pose nearly the threat that the Lions do, resilient quarterback Mike Kafka can do some things to test the Penn State secondary.

The last time Penn State visited Evanston, it came away with a 34-29 win. This time, it shouldn't be that close.

Prediction: Penn State - 42
Northwestern - 7

Nate Bauer
Blue White Illustrated Web Editor
2009 Record - 7-1

After last weekend's 35-10 crushing of the Wolverines, are the Nittany Lions in for a let down on Saturday when they travel to Evanston to take on the Northwestern Wildcats?

Very simply, no.

Regardless of what Penn State head coach Joe Paterno wants you to believe, the Wildcats just aren't up to the caliber of his Nittany Lions.

At this point, Penn State fans have seen a variety of performances from the Nittany Lions' offense, ranging from seemingly unstoppable to absolutely abysmal. If anything, though, Penn State's defense has proven that it doesn't much matter.

In dealing with the Wildcats, it's important to remember that this is a completely one-dimensional offense. Quarterback Mike Kafka is leading the charge for the Wildcats, racking up the most total offense per game of anyone in the Big Ten with 284.12 yards per game.

Even if he has a good game, it won't be enough to score enough points to beat Penn State.

Meanwhile, I think it's important to note how much progress the Nittany Lions' offense has made behind quarterback Daryll Clark and his receivers, plus that of the re-tooled offensive line and the running game. This is an offense that is really clicking, although it has shown that it can still be better in being more opportunistic with red zone chances and the like.

Regardless of the weather or the 'trap game' theory, Penn State is prepared for this game, is the better team, and should come away with a sizeable win at Ryan Field.

Prediction: Penn State 37, Northwestern 10

Penn State NEWS

[More]

Latest Headlines:

Resources:

FEATURED PRODUCT