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Staff Predictions: Penn State At Syracuse

Last minute predictions from your trusty Black Shoe Diaries staff:

Kevin HD:  Coastal Carolina was the very first game and Oregon State was the first BCS test.  Syracuse is...a team that was handled by Akron and blown out by Northwestern.  Reading up on the rivalry was fun and allowed us to revisit the Eastern Conference debate, but other than that this game has about as much appeal as the molding orange RUTS posted in yesterday's preview.
 
But that doesn't mean there aren't things to see.  I expect the offensive line to continue to dominate and look forward to some nifty runs from Royster.  I would really like to see Devlin and Green run the real-life offense in order to (1) see what they got, and (2) give them some encouragement.  Clark is going to run and as a result, might get banged up; it's imperative that the second string skill players have the confidence to step right in.
 
Penn State 55, Syracuse 10

BSD Mike:  I was holding out hope that this game would be semi-competitive. But the Orange lost to Northwestern 30-10, and then they lost to Akron 48-28 at home. If Akron can score 48 points we should score 60. And if Northwestern can hold them to 10 we should shut them out.
 
The only chance Syracuse has is to control the ball with Brinkley and Carter and keep the high-powered Penn State offense off the field. Even then, they better hope Clark and Devlin both tear their ACL's in the first quarter and Evan Royster has twelve fumbles. I think this game will be over by the end of the first quarter.
 
Penn State 55, Syracuse 3

Run Up The Score:  It's a "name your score" scenario for Penn State.  Knowing Joe Paterno's ancient hatred for Syracuse, I'd expect him to show little mercy.  Then again, mercy may be an impossibility in this game.  Penn State's likely going to get a lead, and then run, run, run at Syracuse, who currently scrapes the bottom of the barrel when it comes to run defense...and that's after playing Northwestern and Akron.  It's going to be ugly from beginning to end.  I wouldn't be remotely shocked if Brent Carter approaches 100 yards on the ground in the second half.  There will be clamors for Pat Devlin and Stephfon Green, but don't expect much in the way of fireworks from those two.  Given the mundane plays that Stephfon Green was forced to run last week against Oregon State, it's hard to imagine the coaching staff coming up with anything innovative to show off Green's speed.  Because Royster has been great, the coaches haven't needed to show their Stephfon Green money plays yet. 

Penn State 48, Syracuse 7

Don't forget to visit BSD tomorrow during the game for the Pants Off Dance Off Gameday Open Thread.  Punch and cookies will be served.

0 recs  |  Comment 21 comments |

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That all sounds about right

It would be fun to watch Joe actually not let up on the gas pedal, if he really does still have a strong hatred for Syracuse. Not as if mercy would matter much, but at least 8 tds would be great.

I’m more intrigued to see how the D plays. Not like we can expect much from the ‘Cuse offense, but at least they have a moderate weapon or two. I’d be much more enthusiastic about a 38-3 win than a 56-21 victory. I hope to see some of the new guys get a shot on the defensive side of the ball.

by blogue20 on Sep 12, 2008 3:14 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

My prediction is

41-17 Penn State.

I think all but 3 of the 17 SU points will be in garbage time, which means anytime after the first quarter.

I bleed Blue and White.

by Horse N Buggy on Sep 12, 2008 3:59 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Game Day Open Thread

More people will come if they think you have punch and pie.

55-10 PSU. Next week will be more competitive.

by Screen Name 20 on Sep 12, 2008 4:06 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

52-6

"For every moment of triumph, for every instance of beauty, many souls must be trampled"- Hunter S. Thompson

by phishead_psu on Sep 12, 2008 4:11 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I hope we conceal our real offense. I know Jay and Galen are not the best offensive minds in this country, but it should be understood that going on the road against Purdue and Wisconsin should be when we really open up the playbook.

keep the fireworks under wraps — that crazy play that gets Greene in space, or Williams deep on the edge? Hold onto that, maybe even after the Illinois game.

by millzners on Sep 12, 2008 4:12 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

59 - 6

I’m looking for another special teams TD…

How about predictions on Wallace and Quarless?
 
Will Wallace play defense or be relegated to just kick returns again? Will Quarless see the field, even if only mop up duty?

by WETSU on Sep 12, 2008 4:20 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

63-10

I want an epic beatdown ala the 2005 Illinois game where M-Rob went bonkers. Give Royster his typical 3 tds, Clark 2 tds (1 passing, 1 rushing longer than 20 yds), then let Devlin, Green and the rest go to town and score the other 28 points.

by HookMania on Sep 12, 2008 4:31 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

55-7

Cuse will score on some crazy play towards the end of the first half.

"Red, it took me sixteen years to get here. You play me, and I'll give ya the best I got."

by Touchdown on Sep 12, 2008 4:34 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I Want To See.......

more of the our 5’9" 189 lb back who runs a 4.25 40 up between the tackles. That’s excitin’ football :)

Eric Watters Atlanta, Ga.

by ech2os on Sep 12, 2008 4:50 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

So You Guys.......

are saying parlay PSU and the Over. Sounds good to me.

Eric Watters Atlanta, Ga.

by ech2os on Sep 12, 2008 4:53 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

So what would be the bigger disappointment?

PSU scoring less than 40 points
or
Syracuse scoring more than 14

?

I bleed Blue and White.

by Horse N Buggy on Sep 12, 2008 4:54 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

PSU 66 SU 10

I’ll be there…driving 7 hours each way from DC. Why am I wasting gas on this??

by psu1313 on Sep 12, 2008 4:56 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Penn State 31 Syracuse 17

Penn State will be some combination of flat, over confident and conservative.

Syracuse will be fired up, playing their biggest game of the year, trying to save their coaches job, and Jim Brown will be on the sideline scaring the living shit out of every white guy on the field.

Tougher game than everybody thinks IMO.

"I honestly think the "Spread HD" is going to work pretty well, and we’ll be just fine this year". - 8-27-2008

by jesse. on Sep 12, 2008 5:04 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I dunno

I get the impression this team approaches every game, every practice, and every play with purpose. People will blow it off if we win by 40 points, but if this team can stay focused on all these patsies without getting flat I think it will be a very good sign.

by BSD on Sep 12, 2008 5:55 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

We do have focus, you can see it on the field

I see no reason why we should lose it.

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

by psu on Sep 12, 2008 10:12 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I don't think this is the right game for that combination

If this PSU team was full of proven seniors, then maybe. But the majority of our guys still feel like they’re still putting on a display of what they can do for Joe and the coaching staff. Letdowns like that are for the USCs (of ‘07) vs. Stanfords. Maybe next year “trap game” factor is in play, but I don’t think thats going to happen tomorrow.

And as for The Orange getting fired up….ha. That only gets you so far. Lets see how fired up they are when its 21-0 with 6 mins to go in the 1st quarter.

by blogue20 on Sep 12, 2008 7:20 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

This is the only prediction

that doesn’t have the nits both cover the spread now at -28 and the over 55.

by spakajewia on Sep 13, 2008 12:36 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

And clearly I was wrong

"I honestly think the "Spread HD" is going to work pretty well, and we’ll be just fine this year". - 8-27-2008

by jesse. on Sep 13, 2008 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

oh well

I just hope we can maintain this focus through temple and into Illinois, that is the game we don’t want to be flat for.

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

by psu on Sep 14, 2008 8:38 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

D Williams

Will have 2 touchdowns, 1 being a return. Jordan Norwood will have a few crazy athletic catches and Royster will get 2 TD’s. And Kevin Kelly will nail a 55 yarder…(At least that’s what happened in my NCAA 09 game)

Score: 48 – 10

by bbeck223 on Sep 12, 2008 7:45 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Wow. People really nailed this one.

Four people picking the 55 point score by the Nittany Lions, and everyone was close on the ’cuse score.

by Cairo on Sep 13, 2008 10:54 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

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