Alamo Bowl Team Comparison

by BSD on Dec 20, 2007 10:39 PM EST in Football

Obviously A&M is a good running team. They have three options to go to with Lane, Goodson, and McGee. They're basically a slower version of Illinois with Stephen McGee playing the part of a poor man's Juice Williams. The front seven for Penn State should be able to contain them well forcing the Aggies to go to the air. Though Penn State struggled in pass defense late in the year, this Aggie team doesn't have a James Hardy or Devin Thomas. We should contain their offense just fine.

When Penn State is on offense it appears they should have success. A&M ranked #104 in pass defense. And the rush defense is meh coming in at #57.

Special teams is my concern. The Aggies can hang right with us in the punting game, though they don't return as well. Look for a lot of fair catches in this game. But what bugs me is our kickoff coverage. Our kickoff coverage hasn't been so great this year. Ok, it sucks. And the Aggies kick return game is better than suck. Ok, they're pretty good. But there is hope since Brian Norwood used to coach the kickoff coverage team and he's gone. Kermit Buggs has assumed that role now so maybe he can turn things around. Let's hope he can do it in about 10 practices.

**Team Comparison**
Statistical Category	Texas A&M	NCAA Rank	Penn State	NCAA Rank
Rushing Offense (ypg)	216	13	187	32
Passing Offense (ypg)	187	98	212	70
Pass Efficiency Offense	120.5	79	124.9	66
Total Offense (ypg)	403	54	399	56
Scoring Offense (ppg)	28.8	53	30.8	44
Rushing Defense (ypg)	152	57	88	6
Passing Defense (ypg)	264	104	219	46
Pass Efficiency Defense	141.8	100	119.1	44
Total Defense (ypg)	416	83	307	9
Scoring Defense (ppg)	26.1	55	17.6	8
Net Punting (yards)	38.1	10	39.2	6
Punt Returns (yards)	5.9	103	10.8	34
Kickoff Returns (yards)	23.5	21	21.4	62
Turnover Margin	0.67	20	0.08	47
Sacks Per Game	1.5	96	3.8	2
Tackles for Loss	5.7	81	8.0	10
Sacks Allowed Per Game	1.3	7	1.7	41

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Comments

Kick coverage team

The kick coverage team went in the tank when we lost Hays and was compounded when Timmons was removed as one of the gunners. Perhaps Tony Davis will be healthy enough to play punt coverage otherwise we could be in trouble.

by ageing lion on Dec 20, 2007 11:15 PM EST reply actions

comparison

One other area I would think we have an edge is that Joepa seems to do well given the time before a bowl game to prepare(most bowl wins ever!). Texas A&M is going through a transition period now so that should give us the preparation/coaching edge.

by PSU86 on Dec 21, 2007 8:53 AM EST reply actions

No good outcome

This is one of those games where there really isn't a good outcome. If we lose, it's embarassing. If we win, it's no big deal. Which is why I'm not very excited for this game.

Get up State.

by speedomike02 on Dec 21, 2007 8:58 AM EST reply actions

I don't know about that

There is a lot of pride in Texas A&M's program, I imagine their fans still remember getting whipped badly the last time we played them.

From my prospective as a Penn State/Pittsburgh Steeler fan, I take a lot of pride in showing those boys down in Texas that they aren't the only people who play football in the world.

It's a bit of a bragging rights game to me. Of course I have friend that is big cowboy fan that went to Texas A&M.

For the Glory National Champions 1982, 1986, 1994,

by jesse. on Dec 21, 2007 9:14 AM EST up reply actions

I disagree

This game isn't a marquee matchup, but it will set the tone for the off season. Win and we'll end on a high note looking forward to next year. If we lose there will be doubts all through the spring.

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

Hail to the Lion!

by BSD on Dec 21, 2007 9:39 AM EST up reply actions

Mike's Right

I know A&M isn't an SEC team, but we just need to look back one year to see how much momentum 1 game can produce.

#14 was going to throw for 3500 yards and 30 TD, Justin King was going to make one side of the field a no fly zone.

by platnumkid on Dec 21, 2007 3:27 PM EST up reply actions

I don't know

People put too much stock into these bowl games. Michigan lost the Alamo Bowl in 2005 and won 11 games in 2006. We were all fired up after the Outback Bowl and....yeah. Say we lose this game because Morelli throws a couple of late picks. Will that leave a bad taste going into the offseason, or will the team be glad that chapter is over and be excited to start fresh? And how would winning lessen any doubts about the quarterback positon for 2008?

Could winning have a positive effect? Sure. And vice versa. But I don't think the result of a mid-tier bowl game has as much to do with the next season as some people make it out to be.

Get up State.

by speedomike02 on Dec 21, 2007 11:42 PM EST up reply actions

game

I do think our win over tn last year put a positive spin on this season coming in, at least from the fan perspective. I don't know if it had any positive effect on the team. If AM throws a pick 6 and fumbles twice I think we will all just shrug our shoulders and be glad that next season we get to start over again.

by PSU86 on Dec 22, 2007 3:45 AM EST up reply actions

as an ag...it's a bowl game

ok, it might give you "momentum"(credit ESPN) into 08. Does it really? Who the hell cares. Let's say we control the ball for the entire game and win it. Who cares? We'll still do crappy in 08. If you guys dominate and win you'll still not win the BIG 10. We're both secondary schools in our conferences. Who cares. We're both destined just for black horse victories. It sucks, but I'm right. Both fan bases are itching for success. Not in a bowl game, but in championships. A bowl game victory is not a success. We didn't win one bowl game under fran and we prob. won't win this one. Who cares? When we play Baylor/OK State next year or any of our other opponents no one is going to mention this game. It's just for media/fun. It really doesn't matter. Let's face the true. Momentum? That's basically a bunch of crap.

by carsondude on Dec 22, 2007 2:53 AM EST reply actions

Speak for yourself Dude....

Our guys are coming down to the great football state of Texas to kick ass and get ready for next season. If 65,000 people who all made a special trip and Texas A&M versus Penn State is not sufficient to excite you prehaps you should start watching hockey or something.

You can call your program "secondary" and "dark horse" all you like. Penn State is neither.

Of course maybe that's why Penn State generally wins bowl games and A&M usually doesn't.

For the Glory National Champions 1982, 1986, 1994,

by jesse. on Dec 22, 2007 2:46 PM EST up reply actions

Who invited Debbie Downer?

Who the hell cares, you ask? Well I know I do; I care every time PSU steps on the field! Most real fans do, I'd say. Lest you forget, two short years ago PSU finished #3 in the nation. Secondary? I think not. I'm not really sure what kinda Eeyore 'nobody loves me' reverse psychology stuff you're going for here, but if all of your fans feel the way you do then you are right; you're a secondary school destined for a 'crappy' 2008.

Jason C.
Paterno State

by jwc194 on Dec 23, 2007 8:28 PM EST up reply actions