Penn State #3 In First BCS Standings, #7 In Computer Average

We talked a bit about this last week, but the weak computer rankings, fueled by a sub-par strength of schedule average, weren't enough to drop Penn State out of the number three spot they've earned in the human polls.

The computers, by rule, cannot take into account our margin of victory and so the rather dominating performance to date doesn't get it's proper due. There could be a potentially big shuffle next week depending on how Penn State's game against Ohio State goes; the Buckeyes are actually ranked two spots higher than the Nittany Lions in the computers (#5).

over 3 years ago KevinHD 7 comments 0 recs |

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I am getting

increasingly worried about this game.

Hopefully this worried feeling is resolved with a Wisconsin-esque outcome.

by GreatScawt on Oct 19, 2008 6:51 PM EDT reply actions

No Worries, Yet

PSU has probably the three toughest games on its schedule yet to come. Wins over Illinois and Oregon State will stand as quality wins, but road games against OSU and Iowa should count for significantly more pending positive outcomes. Iowa is really starting to look like a quality team with a balanced offense and will probably end up 5-3 in the Big 10. MSU should also rebound to test PSU in its last game. The important stretch this season isn’t Wiscy, THEM, OSU, it’s OSU and Iowa.

The Big 12 is about to go into single elimination mode and ‘Bama is looking increasingly like it’ll drop a tight game. Still looking good from that angle.

As for OSU, I’m anticipating this is the game Pryor’s inexperience leads to several costly errors. Against MSU he threw a jump ball into double coverage which turned into a huge gain because two DBs ran into each other. His TD pass was a roll out where he threw back across his body. Both plays were mental errors, but luck and talent turned them into highlight reel moments. If Pryor makes these same kind of errors, I don’t see PSU’s defense being so forgiving. As talented as Pryor is, at some point he will make big errors. He will lose a B-10 game this year, and I think this is the one.

by gcdyersb on Oct 19, 2008 7:23 PM EDT reply actions

Frankly..........

without over intellectualizing it………let’s beat OSU. That’s all that matters. Cause if we beat OSU and don’t end up in the NC game for whatever reason, then it obviously wasn’t meant to be. Lose to Iowa, Indiana, or MSU then we have no business playing in the title game anyway. Especially when we have Temple, CC, and Syracuse on the schedule.

Eric Watters Atlanta, Ga.

by ech2os on Oct 19, 2008 7:30 PM EDT reply actions

If we beat jaOss (just another Ohio state school)...

we will move up in the computer rankings and maybe become a little tighter to #2 in the human rankings. They drop the lowest computer ranking for each team. Right now, we are #11 in Wolfe, #10 in Massey & #8 in Sagarian. JaOss is #3 in Wolfe, #4 in Colley, #5 in Billingsly, #6 in Sagarian & #7 in the other two. If we win & we move up a few places in either Wolfe or Massey & we move up one or two places in each of the others, we’ll be solidly in third & no teams below us in the human rankings will pass us.
I’ve said this before & I’ll say it again: If Texas & Alabama win out, they play for the national title. If at least one of them loses & we win out, we play for the title. Period.

by Elihu on Oct 19, 2008 8:03 PM EDT reply actions

Worried about the next test

Even though I feel really good about Penn State I am still worried about the next game with OSU. State did a great job to not get rattled when down by 10 points against MU. The question is how will they do if the same thing happens against OSU on OSU grass?

Let’s see Royster explore the OSU backfield!

by Section WG on Oct 19, 2008 8:35 PM EDT reply actions

Sagarin

Jeff Sagarin has us 4th instead of 8th, and Ohio State 12th instead of 6th, if margin of victory is included in his algorithm (PREDICTOR, not ELO-CHESS). The predictor says an 11 point victory for PSU, 8 if you take away the three point home field advantage. So I’m guessing the outcome could be something along the lines of 28-20, Penn State.

by gumbercules on Oct 20, 2008 9:05 AM EDT reply actions

tOSU game planning & film

Correct me if I am wrong – but I have not seen much “fancy play calling” this year from them…pretty standard stuff, since they have made the QB switch (giving TP time to learn the game @ this level).
I believe with him as the starter there are 4 game films for us to resource…pretty “vanilla”…though I’m sure MSU might disagree. Compare tOSU option calls vs those from THEM this past weekend…meatchicken (w/Threet in the game) did a good job in the disguising & reading @ the line. They particularly were hip-to-hip many times before fully executing the play. tOSU on the other hand, their option – TP take a wider rout to the outside most of the time (it seems to me) and then uses his speed to go around the end (usually ’cause the D overcomitted and bit).
Again, this is all “recall” on my part; but, it seems to be an easier team to game-plan for with a more vanilla offensive play calling while TP leans how to run their plays and read the D for options. WE, on the other hand have this “myriad” of plays and I cannot say that we have really played-called 2-games alike…so IT IS tougher to plan against us.

Your thoughts?

Eight games into the season…I LIKE THAT…this is obviouslly not our typical PSU offensive team! ! !

LET’s GO STATE!

CRUSH THE BUCK-NUTS!!!

" We need MORE cowbell !"

by BlueWhiteLife on Oct 20, 2008 9:21 AM EDT reply actions