Iowa Preview: Safety First

by Run Up The Score on Nov 6, 2008 9:42 AM EST in Football Comment 39 comments

Who Shot Who In The What Now? Penn State (9-0, 5-0) at Iowa (5-4, 2-3). Kickoff at 3:30 Eastern, Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa.

Kicking Television: The venerable Brad Nessler, Bob Griese, and Paul Maguire bring you the action on ABC. The lovely and talented Stacey Dales works the sidelines. Radio affiliates here. Coverage map forthcoming. I believe that those of you who don't get the game on ABC will get it on ESPN.

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A Fool And His Money: Penn State is favored by 7.5 points on the road. The over/under sits at 43. Useless gambling trends, for your perusal.

Legendary (And Dubious) Statistical Achievements: Penn State leads the Big Ten in the least amount of turnovers committed, and for all of our complaints about passing efficiency numbers under Jay Paterno, PSU is #1 in the conference there as well. Iowa is dead last in both the number of tackles for loss and sacks.

Weather: Well, it's interesting. Possible snow showers and breezy (15-20 mph). It may affect the passing game on a day where Penn State should have a huge advantage in that area.

Lest We Forget: The safety dance, from 2004. I've never been so happy to miss a Penn State game because of a wedding. Throughout the afternoon we kept receiving updates from fellow PSU fans. 3-2? 6-2? 6-4?!? Was Boris Becker somehow involved?

Iowa vs. Penn State 2004 (via HawkeyeFan123)

Pickin' On The Big Ten: I agree with Iowa supporter Mark Hasty's analysis -- this is going to be a close game. Iowa is essentially a slightly less-athletic version of Penn State, and the only area in which Iowa is significantly worse is their offensive passing attack. Kirk Ferentz, for whatever reason, usually has a very good plan for Penn State. The notable exception, of course, is last year's game in which Iowa stayed in the game due to PSU turnovers.

Smoke Signals From Enemy Territory: Black Heart Gold Pants has been unusually silent this week, but don't worry, we'll have a Q&A with them posted very soon. And yes, MR. PATERNO THANK YOU will be making an appearance.

Let's Pretend You're Jay Paterno. No, seriously: Here's what I do. Come out throwing, assuming weather conditions are decent. That's Iowa's defensive weakness -- they don't defend the pass very well and don't get after the quarterback. Attack that weakness, and use that strategy to open up the running game. Get two touchdowns on the board and force Iowa into siphoning a few carries away from Shonn Greene, allowing Tom Bradley's defense to go after Ricky Stanzi, who was sacked six times last week and committed a few turnovers.

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Iowa vs PSU 2004

Now that game is a classic. It is actually pretty exciting to watch, kind of like watching videos of people falling down escalators. You feel bad, cannot believe what you are watching but still crack a smile.

I don't know, Mello Yello is pretty awful. What's the worst that could happen?

by psu on Nov 6, 2008 9:51 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

It's only exciting...

…because of the Beastie Boys soundtrack. “Sabotage” would make a chess game seem thrilling.

by Run Up The Score on Nov 6, 2008 10:05 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Also notice the spelled it "Nittnay" Lions in the beginning?

I bleed Blue and White.

by Horse N Buggy on Nov 6, 2008 10:29 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Gawd, I got such crap from some co-workers from that game.

A pair of co-workers from Auburn railed on me and an Iowa grad mercilessly for that game.

Then the Auburn Mississippi State 3-2 game happened this year. Payback’s sooooo satisfying.

by Cairo on Nov 6, 2008 11:16 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I remember walking out of that game

and not even being mad, just kind of out of it. It took me weeks to figure out exactly what happened.

Kevin @ Black Shoe Diaries

by Kevin HD on Nov 6, 2008 11:25 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

one thing I love about gmail

You can go back in time and find out what you were thinking. This is what I sent my friends after that game.

I still hate our offense. I still hate our special teams. I still hate football.

by Cairo on Nov 6, 2008 11:37 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, thanks to

Auburn / Miss Stat, our Safety Dance looked like a scoring frenzy.

Twice the field goals! Twice the safeties! Twice the fun!

'People are about as happy as they decide they want to be'

by Pete the Streak on Nov 6, 2008 3:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I was painted up in the front row of the senior section that game

mind you this was prior to paternoville in the midst of a terrible season so we only had to show up at 7am to get front row.

the game was so atrocious that the espn crew cut to us and talked about our lack of shirts and the bad weather for like 30 seconds instead of covering the game…

You find out life's this game of inches. And so is football.

by BleedingBlue4Psu on Nov 6, 2008 7:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Listening to John Cunningham on my iPod at work

No importance there, just thought the world should know.

by Run Up The Score on Nov 6, 2008 10:06 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Turn the Radio up!

I’m one of those guys that when Myron Cope was on the radio on Sundays, i would turn the radio up and the TV down. Since Cope’s no longer around, i still do the same for away Steelers games(if i’m not at Pickles watchin the game) but I now have that annoying delay. Does anyone do this for Penn State games and Know if there’s a delay for college ball too? I haven’t done it yet so i was just curious. Thanks!!

For the Glory of Old State

by PSULion29 on Nov 6, 2008 10:13 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Used to the same thing in Pittsburgh

And I’m not even a Steelers fan. The delay will depend on a number of variables — mostly, what kind of receivers you’re using for TV and radio. If you’re stuck in the Stone Age and still using the over-the-air TV signal, you’ll get the pictures faster than people with cable or satellite. Same principle works for radio — conventional radio should come in 15-30 seconds faster than XM/Sirius/Internet.

It’s hard to find the right combination, for sure. I usually get frustrated and just go with either the radio or the TV, not both.

by Run Up The Score on Nov 6, 2008 10:39 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

with DVR

you can usually play around until it is sync’ed.

I have been doing this for Redskins games because hearing Troy Aikman and Daryl Johnston pretend they aren’t rooting for the Cowboys is the worst.

by gbd106 on Nov 6, 2008 10:42 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Our Skins

Took a rather wicked beating to some BSDers’ Stillers Monday night. Brutal.

pax et amor

by jtothep on Nov 6, 2008 11:05 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

they did it for obama

sometimes you gotta throw one for the greater good

by gbd106 on Nov 6, 2008 11:13 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Wink

dontcha know it

by PSUgirl on Nov 6, 2008 11:47 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, of course!

When I first thought about the question, I flashed back to my friends watching Eagles playoff games in separate rooms of the same house (space requirements, really). The porch TV was the air antenna, the indoor TV was cable. So one room would hear, “Awwww, Noooooooo!” as Donovan threw an interception, and the other room would just have to wait for a few dread-filled seconds before seeing the play.

But yes, DVR, that’s some good thinking.

by Run Up The Score on Nov 6, 2008 11:10 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Sounds like an old SNL skit

2 people were being interviewed – one had the ability to answer a question a few seconds before it was asked and the other had a long delay before answering the same question. Pretty funny. I should YouTube that one.

by NJ lion on Nov 6, 2008 11:14 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Delay Play

http://delayplay.com/
You are welcome. That being said, it looks like they are out of stock or something. Maybe there’s competitors too. . .

by The IC Lion on Nov 6, 2008 10:46 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

defensively

nothing different than the past few games

stop the run at all costs, and force the qb into passing

http://glassesofjoe.blogspot.com/

by psudrozz on Nov 6, 2008 10:44 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Kinnick

Were the guys on the Big Ten Network serious when they said that Kinnick Stadium was the toughest place to play in the Big Ten?

"Believe deep down in your heart that you're destined to do great things." -Joe Paterno

by TheGunslinger on Nov 6, 2008 10:50 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

you musta missed the fine print

Kinnick Stadium is the toughest place to play in the Big 10 when playing away against Iowa ;-)

by The JuggerNitt on Nov 6, 2008 10:54 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Hopefully Clark will be 100%

The team said he will be, but that concussion sounded pretty bad. I’m thinking that Clark may be a little afraid to run this week after missing a few minutes of his life at OSU.

by NJ lion on Nov 6, 2008 10:51 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

This should put to rest how banged up Clark was:

http://www.pennlive.com/pennstatefootball/patriotnews/index.ssf?/base/sports/1225936507197290.xml&coll=1

by Ab4PSU on Nov 6, 2008 11:54 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It's the article about him hearing bells ringing.

No wonder he was as animated as he was on the sidelines. Let him throw if Iowa can’t defend the pass. If we can’t throw short passes to our receivers (and get Quarless involved, damnit!), then we don’t deserve to win.

by Ab4PSU on Nov 6, 2008 11:56 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I was only able to watch that video for 19 seconds before feeling a strong desire to vomit.

by ReadingRambler on Nov 6, 2008 11:13 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I don't think this game...

will be as close as you think RUTS…Iowa’s going to have to pass to win the game, and their qb is nowhere near as dangerous as Juice, or TP. The only thing that can keep this close is turnovers from PSU…just my thoughts.

Success without honor is like an unseasoned dish, it will fill you up but it won't taste good. - Joe V. Paterno

by carolinaeasy on Nov 6, 2008 11:17 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Not entirely based on logic, just so you know.

I would agree that Penn State is the much better team. The potential turnover issue bothers me — we’ve been exceptionally good at not turning it over too much. I don’t want to say we’re due, because that’s a bit silly and unreasonably pessimistic. Still, I’ll feel a lot better if Clark looks sharp in the first quarter.

Our defense has improved tremendously over the course of the season. If we can limit Iowa to an average of three yards on first down, we’ll be okay.

by Run Up The Score on Nov 6, 2008 11:21 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah I understand your feeling of dread...

I have it for every game. Even the Temple game, I have it for this one as well, but the rational side of my brain tells me that the lions should be fine…Also as a side note this will be the first game my son and I will watch together he was born last thursday! He will have his lions gear on and ready for gameday(as ready as a newborn can be!)

Success without honor is like an unseasoned dish, it will fill you up but it won't taste good. - Joe V. Paterno

by carolinaeasy on Nov 6, 2008 12:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Just don't get stuck rocking him to sleep

I had to stand completely still and silent while watching the 4th Q of the Northwestern 2005 game because my son would wake up every time I put him down.

by PSU Mudder on Nov 6, 2008 1:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Coverage Map

by Run Up The Score on Nov 6, 2008 11:18 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

and yes

it is mirrored on ESPN, so everyone has the game.

Kevin @ Black Shoe Diaries

by Kevin HD on Nov 6, 2008 11:24 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

See this Fanpost by Carolinaeasy for the mirror map.

http://www.blackshoediaries.com/2008/11/6/655018/coverage-maps-for-iowa-gam

by Run Up The Score on Nov 6, 2008 1:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

YES!

by hawaiipennstatefan on Nov 6, 2008 12:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Tell me about it

Going to the bar is sometimes fun, but I’ll be happy to stay at home. The one thing I hate about Hawaii is that they don’t have the noon games at all on broadcast. Freaking Saturday morning cartoons.

by Bleed Blue 'n White on Nov 6, 2008 1:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

There's that,

plus the lousy freezing weather, crappy scenery and lack of hot girls.

Hang in there, you two.

At least you have some very nice rainbows. ;-)

'People are about as happy as they decide they want to be'

by Pete the Streak on Nov 6, 2008 4:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Hey now

It was overcast here for about three or four straight days before yesterday. Seriously! The weather’s just downright terrible. I dunno how we stand it.

by Bleed Blue 'n White on Nov 6, 2008 8:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I feel for you.

That’s why I moved to Missouri: the balmy mediterranean-like weather. But then everybody does.

by Cairo on Nov 7, 2008 9:53 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for the Iowa preview

It’s nice to get back to real Penn State football after 2 weeks of talking about BCS scenarios, Big 12 and SEC wins/losses, and other stuff we have no control over.

Go State, beat the Hawkeyes!!

by NJ lion on Nov 6, 2008 11:53 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I was in attendance

at the 6-4 game, there was actually a lot of action up and down the field, it was just that no one crossed the goal line due to turnovers and miscues. I think the Lions will be fine, looking for something like a 31-10 win.

by Joe 96alum on Nov 6, 2008 12:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs