Black Shoe Diaries - Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Nebraska CornhuskersDOMINATE THE STATEhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47529/blackshoediaries_fave.png2012-11-10T18:15:03-05:00http://www.blackshoediaries.com/rss/stream/33745412012-11-10T18:15:03-05:002012-11-10T18:15:03-05:00Penn State vs. Nebraska: Fourth Quarter Open Threa
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https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2012/11/10/3617468/penn-state-vs-nebraska-fourth-quarter-open-threadjunny2012-11-10T17:25:05-05:002012-11-10T17:25:05-05:00Penn State vs. Nebraska: Third Quarter Open Thread
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https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2012/11/10/3617458/penn-state-vs-nebraska-third-quarter-open-threadjunny2012-11-10T16:20:03-05:002012-11-10T16:20:03-05:00Penn State vs. Nebraska: Second Quarter Open Threa
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https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2012/11/10/3617442/penn-state-vs-nebraska-second-quarter-open-threadjunny2012-11-10T15:30:05-05:002012-11-10T15:30:05-05:00Penn State vs. Nebraska: First Quarter Open Thread
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https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2012/11/10/3617438/penn-state-vs-nebraska-first-quarter-open-threadjunny2012-11-09T14:27:48-05:002012-11-09T14:27:48-05:00Penn State Depth Chart and Injury Report: Nebraska
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<figcaption>Matthew Holst</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Penn State had largely avoided the injury bug this season, but all of a sudden, they've started to pile up. Just how thin will the Nittany Lions be on Saturday? Read on to find out.</p> <p>Last week, Kyle Carter--who was listed as "probable"--was the only player (aside from the counted-out Nyeem Wartman and Mark Arcidiacono) to appear on the injury report. We doubted just how probable he was, and he ended up not making the trip to West Lafayette, but the point is, this had been, and was, a very healthy football team.</p>
<p>Then last week happened. Penn State beat up on Purdue, but lost a couple of pieces, and a very key one, in the process.</p>
<p>Jordan Hill sprained his left knee--the good news is that it wasn't, as initially feared, a torn ACL, but that hardly intimates a one week recovery. He's listed as "day-to-day" by O'Brien, who certainly takes after his mentor Bill Belichick and <a href="https://twitter.com/GregPickel/status/266680203164655617">refused to tip his hand</a> regarding the availability of his players. It's incredibly unlikely that Hill will even make the trip to Lincoln, leaving Penn State with a huge hole on the defensive line, and without a senior leader.</p>
<p>For Kyle Carter, the prognosis is a little bit better--that ankle that kept him out of last week's game<a href="https://twitter.com/GArmasAP/status/266304745365458944"> didn't seem to limit him during practice</a>. Again, there's no real update from the coaching staff, and considering that he was officially probably last week tells us that even if O'Brien did open his mouth, he wouldn't say anything we could take stock in. Unofficially, I think it looks pretty good that Penn State will get another much needed offensive weapon back for Nebraska tomorrow.</p>
<p>Lastly, there's Curtis Dukes, who went off early with a concussion. He hasn't figured in much in the run game, or been too visible in the special teams, so Penn State likely won't be missing too much, but it's always very scary to see young men get head injuries, and we wish him a speedy and full recovery, even if that means he's played his last game in the blue and white.</p>
<p>On to the depth chart!</p>
<p>*-denotes player listed on injury report</p>
<table border="2" style="border: 2px solid #000000;"><tbody>
<tr class="tableizer-firstrow">
<th><u>Off.</u></th> <th><u>First Team</u></th> <th><u>Second Team</u></th> <th><u>Reserves</u></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>HC</td>
<td><b>Bill O'Brien</b></td>
<td><br></td>
<td><br></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>QB</td>
<td>
<b>#11 Matt McGloin</b><span class="sbn-auto-link"><br></span>
</td>
<td>#12 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159718/steven-bench">Steven Bench</a><span class="sbn-auto-link"></span>
</td>
<td>#2 <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77422/shane-mcgregor" class="sbn-auto-link">Shane McGregor</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr></tr>
<tr>
<td>RB</td>
<td><b>#5 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/142581/bill-belton">Bill Belton</a></b></td>
<td>#28 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114114/zach-zwinak">Zach Zwinak</a>
</td>
<td>#24 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77424/derek-day">Derek Day</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>FB</td>
<td><b>#9 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/51495/michael-zordich">Michael Zordich</a></b></td>
<td>#35 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/85929/pat-zerbe">Pat Zerbe</a>
</td>
<td>#45 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/132095/p-j-byers">P.J. Byers</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TE-Y</td>
<td><b>#89 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/85938/garry-gilliam">Garry Gilliam</a></b></td>
<td>#18 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159722/jesse-james">Jesse James</a>
</td>
<td>#84 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159742/matt-lehman">Matt Lehman</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TE-F</td>
<td><b>#87 Kyle Carter*</b></td>
<td>#82 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/51498/brian-irvin" style="background-color: #ffffff; text-decoration: underline;">Brian Irvin</a>
</td>
<td>#83 <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159741/brent-wilkerson" class="sbn-auto-link">Brent Wilkerson</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WR</td>
<td><b>#8 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/142582/allen-robinson">Allen Robinson</a></b></td>
<td>#15 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114110/alex-kenney">Alex Kenney</a>
</td>
<td>#37 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/51489/evan-lewis">Evan Lewis</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WR</td>
<td><b>#85 <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/85915/brandon-moseby-felder" class="sbn-auto-link">Brandon Moseby-Felder</a></b></td>
<td>#21 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159717/trevor-williams">Trevor Williams</a>
</td>
<td>
<span class="sbn-auto-link"></span>#80 <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/142594/matt-zanellato" class="sbn-auto-link">Matt Zanellato</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>OT</td>
<td><b>#76 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/142592/donovan-smith">Donovan Smith</a></b></td>
<td>#70 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/85937/nate-cadogan">Nate Cadogan</a>
</td>
<td>--</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>OG</td>
<td><b>#65 Miles Dieffenbach</b></td>
<td>#60 <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77431/ty-howle" class="sbn-auto-link">Ty Howle</a>
</td>
<td>#66 <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/142590/angelo-mangiro" class="sbn-auto-link">Angelo Mangiro</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>OC</td>
<td><b>#54 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/51499/matt-stankiewitch">Matt Stankiewitch</a></b></td>
<td>#62 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114120/frank-figueroa">Frank Figueroa</a>
</td>
<td>#55 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159737/wendy-laurent">Wendy Laurent</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>OG</td>
<td><b>#64 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/85935/john-urschel">John Urschel</a></b></td>
<td>#75 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/85936/eric-shrive">Eric Shrive</a>
</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>OT</td>
<td><b>#78 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/51505/mike-farrell">Mike Farrell</a></b></td>
<td><span class="sbn-auto-link">#58 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/85933/adam-gress">Adam Gress</a><br></span></td>
<td>#75 Eric Shrive</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th><u>Def.</u></th> <th><u>First Team</u></th> <th><u>Second Team</u></th> <th><u>Reserves</u></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DE</td>
<td><b>#90 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../../ncaa-football/players/114130/sean-stanley">Sean Stanley</a></b></td>
<td>#86 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114129/c-j-olaniyan">C.J. Olaniyan</a>
</td>
<td>#31 <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114127/brad-bars" class="sbn-auto-link">Brad Bars</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DT</td>
<td><b>#47 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/85931/jordan-hill">Jordan Hill</a>*</b></td>
<td>#84 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114128/kyle-baublitz">Kyle Baublitz</a>
</td>
<td>--</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DT</td>
<td><b>#91 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114131/daquan-jones">DaQuan Jones</a></b></td>
<td>#93 <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/51502/james-terry">James Terry</a>
</td>
<td>#99 Austin Johnson</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DE</td>
<td><b>#18 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/142585/deion-barnes">Deion Barnes</a></b></td>
<td>#59 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/51501/pete-massaro">Pete Massaro</a>
</td>
<td>#98 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/142597/anthony-zettel" style="background-color: #ffffff; text-decoration: underline;">Anthony Zettel</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>OLB</td>
<td><b>#6 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77419/gerald-hodges">Gerald Hodges</a></b></td>
<td>#43 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114116/mike-hull">Mike Hull</a>
</td>
<td>--</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MLB</td>
<td><b>#40 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114115/glenn-carson">Glenn Carson</a></b></td>
<td>#33 <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/51496/michael-yancich">Michael Yancich</a>
</td>
<td>--</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>OLB</td>
<td><b>#42 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37469/michael-mauti">Michael Mauti</a></b></td>
<td>#38 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/142588/ben-kline">Ben Kline</a>
</td>
<td>--</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CB</td>
<td>
<b>#12 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/85916/stephon-morris">Stephon Morris</a></b><br>
</td>
<td>#3 DaQuan Davis<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../ncaa-football/players/85916/stephon-morris"></a>
</td>
<td>--<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SS</td>
<td><b>#10 Malcolm Willis<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/7317/nick-sukay"></a></b></td>
<td>#23 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114112/ryan-keiser">Ryan Keiser</a>
</td>
<td>--<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>FS</td>
<td>#7 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/85922/stephen-obeng-agyapong">Stephen Obeng-Agyapong</a>
</td>
<td>#27 Jake Fagnano</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CB</td>
<td><b>#4 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/141951/adrian-amos">Adrian Amos</a></b></td>
<td>#39 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/128108/jesse-della-valle">Jesse Della Valle</a>
</td>
<td>#1 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159713/jordan-lucas">Jordan Lucas</a><br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th><u>Sp.</u></th> <th><u>First Team</u></th> <th><u>Second Team</u></th> <th><u>Reserves</u></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>K</td>
<td><b>#97 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/141952/sam-ficken">Sam Ficken</a></b></td>
<td>--<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>
</td>
<td>--</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>P</td>
<td><b>#45 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114117/alex-butterworth">Alex Butterworth</a></b></td>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>KR</td>
<td><b>#15 Bill Belton</b></td>
<td><b>#39 Jesse Della Valle</b></td>
<td>#4 Alex Kenney</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PR</td>
<td><b>#37 Evan Lewis</b></td>
<td><b>#39 Jesse Della Valle</b></td>
<td>--</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LS</td>
<td><b>#60 Ty Howle</b></td>
<td>#44 Michael Furman</td>
<td>#57 Emery Etter</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>H</td>
<td><b>#23 Ryan Keiser</b></td>
<td>#37 Evan Lewis</td>
<td>--</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<blockquote>
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https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2012/11/9/3623764/penn-state-depth-chart-and-injury-report-nebraska-editiondevon20122012-11-09T12:30:08-05:002012-11-09T12:30:08-05:00BSD Prediction Roundtable: Nebraska
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/BWXMbNVs-apj8YrEnK4xNhWpeTs=/0x17:600x417/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/2924855/gyi0061809135.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Eric Francis</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>This year's Nebraska-Penn State matchup should not include as much emotion as last year's contest did. Still, there is dissension among the ranks of the BSD bloggers on how this game will go. </p> <p><strong>bscaff:</strong> I'm really intrigued to see Penn State's offense against the Husker defense. Pelini loves playing nickle and manning up his DB's - it's really been his calling card at Nebraska (outside of N.Suh), and it destroyed PSU's passing game last year. BO'B loves passing from 4- and 5-wide: but he usually does so with two tight ends - a run-heavy personnel group. With Nebraska not playing like a traditional Nebraska against the run, BO'B could have Pelini between a rock and a hard place. Plus, Penn State's been great on the road, dropping 35 on the Illini, 38 on the Hawkeyes, and 34 on Purdue - all before the end of the 3rd quarter.</p>
<p>On the other side of the ball, for two straight 4th quarters, Nebraska's Taylor Martinez has resembled Joe Montana (with a shoulder injury), leading his team to come from behind victories. If Martinez continues this hot streak, then I don't like Penn State's - or any B1G team's - chances at slowing down the Huskers offense.</p>
<p>Special teams? Special teams have been a net positive just 1 game out of 9. I'm guessing it's 1 out of 10 after this week.</p>
<p><em>Nebraska 38-35</em></p>
<p><strong>Adam:</strong> Several weeks ago on our podcast, I suggested that the Nittany Lions were poised to go on a run. I made an allowance for one slip up, and suggested it would be against a spread team like Northwestern. It turns out that instead of Northwestern, it was a similar team with a better quarterback that gave us our only loss in Big Ten play.</p>
<p>This week, we face a team that's better than Northwestern, but not as good as Ohio State. Nebraska is a worthy adversary with an electric quarterback that is capable of breaking big plays with his feet. Sound familiar? It should.</p>
<p>In the end, I don't think that Martinez makes as many big plays as Braxton Miller did against our defense. He is a much improved passer, but has struggled significantly in the last few games. I don't expect him to have the kind of success on the ground that he had against Michigan State last week. He won't break a 70+ yard touchdown. Penn State will play strong defense and take the ball away twice.</p>
<p>It's what we do with those turnovers that makes the difference in the game. As much as many are loathe to admit it, Matt McGloin is the best passer in the Big Ten. Nebraska's pass defense is one of the best in the country. Yet if we're honest with each other, we know that both of those are somewhat inflated. Nebraska hasn't faced a passing offense of this quality. McGloin hasn't faced a secondary with these kinds of athletes.</p>
<p>In the end, I think our offense performs well enough to turn those turnovers into touchdowns. Sam Ficken will have a chance to redeem himself. This team plays well on the road, away from the overly emotional distractions of State College. I expect that to continue.</p>
<p><em>Penn State 31-28</em></p>
<p><strong>Nick:</strong> I really don't have an x's and o's approach to this prediction, but this Penn State team has been playing better on the road than they have at home. Maybe they're too amped in Beaver Stadium and getting out of town sharpens their focus, whatever it is I expect to be enough the get them over the hump and squeak out a victory.</p>
<p><em>Penn State 27-23</em></p>
<p><strong>Tim:</strong> Part of me would love to go Dick Morris and pick PSU to win by a couple of touchdowns. Alas, the realist in me sees that merely winning this game will be a tall task. Yes, the Blackshirts defense hasn't quite been up to par, but with 24 mph winds forecasted in Lincoln, it's going to make slinging the ball around a more difficult task for McGloin. Most importantly though, I look at Nebraska's offense and I see Ohio State except they have a QB who can throw the ball as well in Taylor Martinez. The absence of <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/76903/rex-burkhead" class="sbn-auto-link">Rex Burkhead</a> will not be a major issue as <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/132010/ameer-abdullah" class="sbn-auto-link">Ameer Abdullah</a> is more than capable of being the "main man" at tailback, providing a second running threat to complement Martinez.</p>
<p><em>Nebraska 28-24 </em></p>
<p><strong>Jared:</strong> This will be the toughest game to predict of the season. Nebraska can be frustratingly inconsistent at times, rotating between looking like a surefire BCS squad and a team in the bottom half of the Big Ten. Sometimes they look unstoppable in the first half, only to get demoralized in the second half (Ohio State), sometimes they lay an egg in the begining of the game only to dominate the latter stages (Wisconsin). Lately, the tendency has been to spot the opponents a few scores just to play flawlessly and win in the closing seconds (Northwestern, Michigan State). On top of this, it seems like the strengths of both teams line up perfectly, making it nearly impossible to predict what will give on Saturday. Nebraska is tough to beat at home, while Penn State has been nothing short of amazing on the road all year. The 'Huskers have one of the best pass defenses in the nation, but will receive their biggest test of the season against Matt McGloin and his bevy of receiving options (still not used to writing things like this). Nebraska has a fantastic trio of runners that are capable of putting up huge numbers on the ground, while Penn State's front seven has been stellar against the run when they aren't playing against Braxton Miller. With such an even gave, something will have to give. If it comes down to turnovers, it's Penn State's game. However, if it comes down to special teams or Penn State struggling to stop another scrambling quarterback, this one will go to the 'Huskers. Either way it will make for an exciting afternoon in Lincoln.</p>
<p><em>Nebraska 27-24 (OT)</em></p>
<p><b> Dan: </b>After watching him for a little more than two-and-a-half years now, I never thought I would type the words that I'm about to put down.</p>
<p>I'm scared of Taylor Martinez.</p>
<p>That fear stems from the Lions' inability to stop <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/132058/braxton-miller" class="sbn-auto-link">Braxton Miller</a> when he left the pocket two weeks ago when the Ohio State quarterback ran for 134 yards and two scores on the Penn State defense. Martinez is just as dynamic of a runner and has improved vastly as a passer over the past year, much like Matt McGloin.</p>
<p>The Penn State offense will also face a test when it goes up against the top secondary in the Big Ten. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114114/zach-zwinak" class="sbn-auto-link">Zach Zwinak</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/142581/bill-belton" class="sbn-auto-link">Bill Belton</a> will have to gain yards on the ground early and <a href="#" class="sbn-auto-link">Bill O'Brien</a> will have to allow them to do so.</p>
<p>This will be a close game, just like last year. And just like last year, I think the Cornhuskers come out on top while Penn State still covers the 7-point spread.</p>
<p><i>Nebraska 23-21</i></p>
https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2012/11/9/3621550/penn-state-nebraska-2012-predictionsDan Vecellio2012-11-09T07:54:14-05:002012-11-09T07:54:14-05:00Blue/White Roundtable - Penn State vs. Nebraska
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<figcaption>Justin K. Aller</figcaption>
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<p>The Penn State blogosphere answers the most pressing questions about Saturday's dominating win against the Boilermakers, Matt McGloin's place amongst Big Ten quarterbacks, matching up against Taylor Martinez, and this weekend's match up against the Nebraska Cornhuskers.</p> <p>Blog mob...<b>ASSEMBLE!</b></p>
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<p>Welcome back to the Election Week edition of the Blue/White Roundtable! Congratulations to our newly re-elected president and all incumbents and new members of Congress who won their races on Tuesday.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b>(NO POLITICS)</b></p>
<p>This week, the Nittany Lions head to Lincoln for the first time since 2003 to take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers!</p>
<p>You know how this works by now - every week, yours truly will pose a variety of questions to Penn State bloggers from every corner of the Nittany Lion internet. We'll post the greatest hits here each week, but make sure to check out our blogging brethren for their full responses every week!</p>
<p>You will all recognize <b><i>most </i></b>of this week's panelists - our own <b>Cari Greene</b>, <b>Bill Engel, Carole Kirkpatrick, LB, and Ali Soho</b> from <a href="http://blog.pennlive.com/pennstatefootball/index.html" target="_blank">PennLive's 50-Yard Lion Blog</a>, <b>Kevin McGuire</b> from <a href="http://www.nittanylionsden.com/site/blue-white-roundtable-is-getting-your-popcorn-ready.html" target="_blank">The Nittany Lions Den,</a> and <b>all of the D-O-double-G's</b> from <a href="http://joepasdoghouse.com/?p=3673" target="_blank">JoePa's Doghouse!</a></p>
<p>But here's a special addition to our Amateur Blog Mob. Say hello to <b>Matt and Tim</b> from <a href="http://victorybellrings.com/" target="_blank">Victory Bell Rings!</a></p>
<p><b>Purdue seemed to catch Penn State sleeping on their first drive of the game, and the team looked a bit sluggish early. Was this an Ohio State hangover? Or have teams begun to catch on to the Penn State game plan?</b></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/entry_photo_images/7173001/psu-osu-mauti-1_gallery_post.jpg"> </a><a href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1291429/psu-osu-mauti-1_gallery_post.jpg"><img alt="Psu-osu-mauti-1_gallery_post_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1291429/psu-osu-mauti-1_gallery_post_medium.jpg"></a></p>
<p><b>Cari: </b> I don't think they caught us unaware. We knew their kick returner would be a home run threat on ST-he was, at least for the first return. They had one good play on that drive, which isn't unheard of for our D to allow-but after the kickoff return, it put them into the red zone. But our D stopped them when it needed to.</p>
<p>Our offense didn't score right away, but that isn't unheard of either. Even in the Iowa blowout, we went 3-and-out on our first possession (aside from, IIRC, a penalty that gave us a first down).</p>
<p><b>Tim: </b>I think Purdue caught the refs sleeping on that first drive. The big running play was broke open by a missed holding call on the edge, then the defense put the clamps down. Watching it, Penn State's game plan doesn't seem all that complex but execution is the key. Against Purdue, they executed it to the tune of 34 unanswered points.</p>
<p><b>Kevin:</b> I think it is possible Purdue caught Penn State at the right time, but I also believe Purdue was playing on a bit of an adrenaline rush, knowing they needed to get a win with a quarterback who gave them some life too late in the game the previous week. Teams may be catching on to what Penn State is doing, but for now only a handful of teams will have the athletic stamina to be able to slow them down too much. Ohio State was able to do it, and Nebraska might be the next physically capable of doing so.</p>
<p><b>The Underdogs: </b>No. That's Purdue's plan. Lull opponents into a daze by their inherent Purdue-ishness then strike like an Egyptian Asp. Except they're engineers and spelling isn't their strong suit so all they got was Egyptian ass.</p>
<p><b>Matt: </b>If it was an OSU hangover, it only lasted about 2 plays on defense. After the long return and then the long run, Purdue couldn't do anything on offense until well after the game was decided. On offense, they certainly looked disjointed, especially early. I attribute at least a portion of that to Kyle Carter's absense. I think we saw how important a guy like that is in this offense. The other factor to me was the atmosphere, or lack thereof. It's no secret this PSU team relies on emotion, sometimes to their detriment. To say there was no atmosphere in West Lafeyette on Saturday would be an understatement. I'm sure the OSU game played a role, but a road game against a Purdue squad playing out the string is not exactly what you'd order up as a rebound game. But credit the coaches and seniors for getting things going in the 2nd and third quarters to put the game away.</p>
<p><b>J Schnauzer:</b> It was random chance fused with a bit of chaos theory and live load projections. It made the engineers salivate, only to see the whole thing collapse like the Tacoma Narrows bridge. By extension, Matty Mac is the harmonizing wind and Danny Hope is the dude stumbling away from his doomed car.</p>
<p><b>Carole: </b>No hangover at all. You can't start a game with two or three injuries on the road and expect to just keep going on business as usual. It takes you out of your game and rhythm. Once the running game got going, the passing game opened up and vice versa. Do teams know what to expect from Penn State now? Sure. They know who the targets are and who is going to get the ball on offense. They know who to kick the ball to on punts and kickoffs and they know where Hill, Mauti, Carson, Hodges and others are lined up on defense. What they don't know is who is going to step up this week. They don't know which tight end will get open. They don't know which running back is going to make the tough yards. They don't expect Matt to run for a first down. They know that Penn State will go for it on fourth down, but they didn't know our kicking game was finally going to begin to shake things up.</p>
<p><b>Bill: </b>Definitely a hangover. Giving up points in the first quarter for the first time all year woke the team up and the rest was history.</p>
<p><b>Matt McGloin passed Kerry Collins this week for most 300 yard passing games by a Nittany Lion. Assess McGloin midway through the season. Is he really the Big Ten's best passer? Or is his success more based on Bill O'Brien's offensive scheme?</b></p>
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<p><b>Rowlff Dogg: </b>The Big Ten has been so terrible this year that I rarely watch the other teams play. College football is too short to waste on bad football. Therefore, my assessment of Matt McGloin being the Big Ten's best passer doesn't carry the necessary weight to ring true. He has surpassed my expectations in every regard this year. Heck, he even won me over as a fan which has led to many disputes within my tailgating circles.</p>
<p>The bottom line is this: McGloin (and the offense) doesn't improve this dramatically without Bill O'Brien and his offensive braintrust. The entire staff has done a remarkable job and there is no better example of it than McGloin.</p>
<p><b>Kevin: </b>Sure, Matt McGloin has the basic passing numbers to make a solid case to be the best quarterback in the Big Ten and there is no question Bill O'Brien has done a solid job in making McGloin more of an effective passer in the offense compared to the previous staff. But when I look at quarterbacks to determine who is the best, I like to look a little deeper in to the numbers, and doing so reveals some not so glossy trends for McGloin in this discussion.</p>
<p>On 3rd down and 4-6 yards, McGloin is in the middle of the pack in the Big Ten with completion percentage, completing 54.5 percent of his passes in that situation. Of course, Penn State's willingness to go for it on fourth downs would suggest this may not be as big a problem as it is for another school, like Indiana or Michigan State. On 3rd and 7-9, McGloin is completing 59.1 percent of his passes, the best QB rating in the Big Ten among players with at least 10 attempts in that situation.</p>
<p>Inside the red zone McGloin is in the bottom half of the Big Ten in QB rating, completing just 23 of 50 pass attempts. That said, McGloin also has the most red zone touchdown passes, with 11, and just one interception.</p>
<p>Put all of that together and you have a quarterback who may not be dazzling, but seems to be proving to be effective in the clutch. Compared to some of the other passers in the Big Ten, and again just focusing on what these players can do with their arms and not their legs, and considering the system he is running, I think you can make a legitimate case that McGloin is the best quarterback in the Big Ten even without some of the raw skills and talent others may have. You have to credit that to the system, I think, more than anything else.</p>
<p><b>The Underdogs: </b>Big Ten's best passer is like asking who the best QB on the Jets is. In fact, Goin Derp could probably start for the Jets. McGloin does have some positive traits and always has, but they were poorly understood and coalesced into the system previously. Weird thing is, his one biggest strength (only?) use to be hot reads and now it seems to be the biggest weakness. I don't really blame the line either as they seem to be sliding and adjusting much better than early in the season, but since OSU teams have been bringing more than we can block leaving it up to the QB and receiver to be on the same page and exploit the D's aggression. I hope this has been worked on all week.</p>
<p><b>Cari: </b>Both. He is the Big Ten's best passer this year, but arguably any other year wouldn't be-the Big Ten, as has been said multiple places, isn't very good this year, and that starts with the QB position. BOB has put McGloin in a position to win (and improve any potential NFL stock in the process), and because of that McGloin looks even better. Let's face it, McGloin of 2011 was head and shoulders above the McGloin of 2010. It shouldn't have been such a surprise that he grew even more as a QB with another year, without looking in his rearview mirror and with a coaching staff familiar with developing quarterbacks.</p>
<p><b>Tim: </b>First, how crazy is that? More 300 yard passing games than Kerry Collins. For the rest, can I say both? Obviously, McGloin is light years ahead of where he has been in previous years, and the biggest variable is Bill O'Brien. With O'Brien's help, McGloin does appear to now be the best passer in the conference. Unlike the other top QBs in the conference, McGloin presents no threat of running with the ball. His success comes from the pocket, not trickery of the defense.</p>
<p><b>Carole: </b>Yes, I will take credit for predicting another 300 yard passing game last week for Mr. McGloin. I do believe that McGloin deserves credit considering that the Kerry Collins era had national championship caliber talent to catch those amazing passes and run the ball in the form of Ki-Jana Carter, Brian Milne, Mike Archie, Bobby Engram, Freddie Scott, and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/13196/kyle-brady" class="sbn-auto-link">Kyle Brady</a>. These Lions that McGloin is having success with are relatively young and were untested before this season. Imagine Collins without KiJana Carter and Bobby Engram. The stats below speak for themselves with Collins stats spanning an entire season.</p>
<p>McGloin, 211 of 340, 2436 yards, 62.1% completion, 18 to 3 TDs to INTs, Rating 138.0</p>
<p>Collins, 176 of 274, 2679 yards, 66.7% completion, 21 to 7 TDS to INTs, Rating 172.9</p>
<p>I think we all have seen the development of Matt over the past three years and this year in particular. To see him be so successful this year is very gratifying. Best passer? Yards passing per game, yes. I do believe that Bill O'Brien has set him and the whole team up to succeed. If you pay attention to that word, "scheme", and how many times BOB and his staff have said that word in interviews, you would know that it is true. They devise schemes for their talent and for each game that if the players play their best within that scheme then they win. They have scored above 30 in all of their wins but 1. Credit not just McGloin but the terrific pocket protection of the O line and the good hands of those receivers and backs in those PSU offensive numbers.</p>
<p><b><br></b><b>Nebraska was held in check for most of the game by a stout Michigan State defense. Can Penn State have sustained success against Taylor Martinez and the Cornhusker offense? What does Penn State have to do to be successful?</b></p>
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<p><b>LB: </b>Penn State needs a big game from its defense since the Cornhuskers have been prolific scorers this season. Nebraska hasn't scored fewer than 20 points in any game so far. The Lion can't afford to start slow again; they have to start fast and score early like they did against Iowa. This game could be tough, but it's definitely winnable for the Lions if they can get momentum going within the first several drives.</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1291435/psu-osu-mcgloin-line_gallery_post.jpg"></a><b>Matt: </b>I like the matchup with PSU's D vs. Martinez. For one, the Lions have the best corps of linebackers in the Big 10. Mauti, Hodges, Carson and Hull have the athleticism to contain Martinez. They key on defense is to put Nebraska into obvious throwing situations. In Nebraska's two losses this season, Martinez has thrown the ball 56 times and been intercepted 4 times. Contain the Huskers ground game, and you are going to force mistakes from a team that has turned the ball over more than anyone in the Big 10. I expect PSU to be able to move the ball against Nebraska's defense, especially through the air, which opens up the ground game for whoever O'Brien opts to put at tailback. I wouldn't be surprised to see more of Belton this week for some reason.</p>
<p>Cari: In order to be successful, Penn State can't go ultra-conservative like they did against Ohio State. Barring him stepping up, Martinez will put up his numbers (he's too talented to contain for a full 60 minutes), but will our offense be able to do enough to counter? They couldn't against the Buckeyes, at home, in a white out atmosphere. I'm not so sure they'll be able to do it on the road at Nebraska.</p>
<p><b>Rowlff Dogg: </b>I feel like I have become a broken record with my defensive suggestions, but it remains very simple: continue to play like you have been playing. Taylor Martinez is very mistake prone. He is also probably not going to beat you solely with his arm. Keep a basic contain on him, bring a variety of blitzes to keep him off-guard, and force him to play perfect to beat you.</p>
<p>After last week's excellent tackling performance by the defensive backs, I think we can afford to be even more aggressive on the blitzes.</p>
<p>Oh yeah, and when a ball hits a defensive back in the hands, CATCH IT!</p>
<p><b>J Schnauzer: </b>I think blitz packages will prove successful against Martinez. As proof, I submit every game where Martinez has faced blitz packages.</p>
<p><b>Predictions?</b></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1291447/psu-osu-yancich-td-pile_gallery_post.jpg"><img alt="Psu-osu-yancich-td-pile_gallery_post_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1291447/psu-osu-yancich-td-pile_gallery_post_medium.jpg"></a></p>
<p><b>Cari: </b>Pessimism for many different things this week has paid off for me. I'm hoping that'll continue for the Penn State game. As much as I want to believe we'll pull out the win, this is a much better team than Iowa, and just as hostile an environment. <b>In the ballpark of 24-17, Nebraska.</b></p>
<p><b>Kevin: </b>Before the season ever started and we had a chance to see what Bill O'Brien could do, I had Nebraska marked down as a loss. Despite some good play by Penn State and a Nebraska team that has holes on both sides of the football at times, I still think that remains the case. I do feel Penn State keeps this a close, lower scoring affair than some might think, but I think when push comes to shove Nebraska will be able to pick up a few crucial yards on the ground and get by with a win.</p>
<p><b>Nebraska 24, Penn State 20.</b></p>
<p><b>The Underdogs:</b> Last team to score wins. 31-27. I'll flip a coin. Heads is for Nebraska and all the heads Lo Phillips and Christian Peter used to kick in during steroid-fueled rage binges. <b>Tails is for PSU and the amount of Nebraska tail PSU would've kicked in '94. Coin says tail.</b> Don't tempt the fates Bo.</p>
<p><b>Rowlff Dogg: The TRUE 1994 National Champions 31, The Tom Osborne Sympathy Vote Receivers 16.</b></p>
<p><b>J Schnauzer: Penn State 29, Nebraska 25</b>. Bo Pelini camera shots of him looking stupified 37.</p>
<p><b>LB</b>: I predicted earlier that the Lions would lose this game, but I have more confidence in them now, even with their recent loss. <b>Penn State 31, Nebraska 24</b></p>
<p><b>Bill</b>: The team likes to make me look like an idiot when I pick them to lose Big Ten games on the road. So I will let them and say Nebraska 24-Penn State 21.</p>
<p><b>Carole</b>: Nebraska is just too good at home. Their only losses occurred on the road @UCLA and @Ohio State. If Penn State can score more than 30 AND can run the ball, the Nittany Lions win. If the defense can hold the Huskers to less than 20 first downs and force some turnovers, Penn State wins. If Nebraska commits their average number of penalties per game, Penn State wins. If all of those things happen, Penn State wins. I am going out on a limb here. <b>Penn State 31, Nebraska 28.</b></p>
<p><b>Matt: </b>Despite my unabashed homer tendencies, I try to look at things fairly. I see a PSU defense that has created turnovers in practically every game this season, and a Nebraska team that cannot seem to hang onto the ball, not to mention an offense that has failed to stop practically everyone, including the inept Sparty attack. The Sea of Red and the very real chance of a trip to Indianapolis to face whoever finishes third in the . . . whatever division PSU and OSU are in will have the Huskers ready to play, but I just think Penn State matches up too well. It's close, but Penn State hangs on late 28-24.</p>
<p><b>Tim: </b>Nebraska is not Purdue and the stadium atmosphere will be on the opposite end of the spectrum from last week. Nebraska's offense is going to put points on the board, but their defense will allow Penn State to do the same. I don't feel good about the Nittany Lions' chances on the road against a dynamic offense like the one the Huskers have. A victory would be a pleasant surprise, but I'll take Martinez and his crew to outlast McGloin and his.</p>
<p><b>Nebraska 30, Penn State 27.</b></p>
<blockquote>
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https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2012/11/9/3621538/blue-white-roundtable-penn-state-nebraska-cornhuskers-martinez-mcgloinAdam Collyer2012-11-08T12:01:57-05:002012-11-08T12:01:57-05:00Brief Interviews with Hideous Men: Nebraska
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<p>With Penn State taking on the Huskers this Saturday, we went straight to the source at Corn Nation for an inside look on Nebraska football.
</p> <p>Penn State heads to Lincoln for its biggest road test this season on Saturday, and they'll have a chance to throw a wrench into the plans of the presumptive Legends Division champions. So, as always, we reached out to the foremost authority on the Lions' opposition, and our friends at Corn Nation are just that. Thanks to the whole gang for lending a helping hand in enlightening us about the Big Ten's newest members.</p>
<p>So thanks a ton, gang, and remember to check out <a href="http://www.cornnation.com">Corn Nation</a> all season long to stay up to date on the Huskers, and be sure to check out what I had to say when they put me on the hot seat.</p>
<p>On to the questions!</p>
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<p><b>Black Shoe Diaries</b>: With that win over Michigan a couple weeks back and the, uh, controversial win over Sparty last week, Nebraska's got the Legends Division all but sewn up. What needs to happen to make this a successful season for Nebraska?</p>
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<p><b>Billgrip</b>: At this point anything less than a Big Ten championship would be a disappointment. Even though Michigan could lose at least one more game, winning out would put the Huskers at 10-2 with a top 15 ranking heading into the Big Ten championship game.</p>
<p><b> Aaron</b>: Nebraska has a few games to go before they can wrap up the division. As for the penalties, we discussed them after the Michigan State game. There were questionable pass interference penalties that went against Nebraska early that lead to an MSU touchdown. We came to the conclusion that even though there were a lot of bad calls, the refs were consistent about calling them both ways. In football, sometimes you get the breaks, sometimes the other team does. You just hope that over time things even out. As far as this being a successful season? I would just like to see them be competitive the rest of the way out and maybe make the Rose Bowl.</p>
<p><b> Husker Mike</b>: Frankly, win out...and that means win four more games. That’s a conference title; the first this century and a BCS bowl berth.</p>
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<p><b>BSD</b>: I'm not sure what's more surprising: that Matt McGloin is a good quarterback now, or that Taylor Martinez is. How has Martinez taken his game to the next level?</p>
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<p><b>Billgrip</b>: Martinez spent time in the offseason with QB guru Steve Calhoun working on his mechanics and footwork. Martinez seems to be sliding back into old form as the season goes on (as far as mechanics go), but overall he has been much better as a passer. Just look at his stats. Another factor in his improvement is simply being in the same offense two years in a row for the first time...ever. Last but not least, he has an incredibly talented group of receivers to throw the ball to.</p>
<p><b>Aaron</b>: He worked really hard to make himself better over the offseason. He is now the career yardage leader at Nebraska, and he has one season left to play. He’s more comfortable with his teammates to do their jobs so that he can do his.</p>
<p><b>Jon</b>: What those guys said and simply more experience. He knows when to take off to gain yardage, when to slide to save himself, and (mostly) what to do with the ball. And it doesn’t hurt that he’s in the second year of Tim Beck’s offense. Now... if only he could take acting lessons or maybe join the Rotary or take some speech communication courses. Then he’d be like George Clooney as a quarterback demi-god next season and a sure Heisman shoe-in!</p>
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<p><b>BSD</b>: How do you explain Nebraska's Jekyll-and-Hyde routine, where they're so good at home and so bad on the road?</p>
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<p><b>Billgrip</b>: Honestly, the Jekyll-and-Hyde routine isn’t limited to the road. Over the past few seasons, Nebraska has had at least one or two games at home where they sleep-walk through the game. That hasn’t happened this year...yet. However, Taylor Martinez has played much better at home this year and I have no idea why. Martinez only has 1 interception at home this year, and 7 on the road. Overall, it’s been very frustrating over the past few years to watch this team play so well one week, and then so poorly the next. This year it’s not even week to week- it’s quarter to quarter. Against Wisconsin, Northwestern, and Michigan State, it was like an entirely different team was playing in the 4th quarter...a team that’s pretty stinking good. Meanwhile, the other 3 quarters it was like a team that couldn’t do anything right.</p>
<p><b> Aaron</b>: They have played some quality teams on the road this year (UCLA, Ohio State, Northwestern, Michigan State). The did need a comeback against Wisconsin this year too. The team just needs to figure out how to get things rolling earlier in the game to take some stress off of them later on.</p>
<p><b> Husker Mike</b>: I don’t think road versus home has anything to do with it. It’s more inconsistency than anything. We keep hoping that we’ll see the maddening mistakes reduced, but by November, it’s clear that those mistakes are simply part of Nebraska’s DNA this season.</p>
<p><b>Jon</b>: Wait a minute. We’re only in our second year of the B1G, guys. We’re still in unfamiliar territory, it’s not that just the players haven’t played in any of these stadiums, the coaching and support staffs haven’t either. That’s important. It’s the little things that can throw your game off. For example, let’s say that the water at East Lansing tastes tinny and the coaching staff knows one of the starting linemen hates tinny water, thinks that it’s poison. The staff needs to know that ahead of time and make sure that player stays away from the water. Now, let’s say the same thing about a starting wide receiver and fat Asian girls. So, who knew there were so many fat Asian girls in Evanston? Well, on the next trip, the staff will note that "water tastes tinny" when going to East Lansing and "many fat Asian girls" when going to Evanston so they can avoid those things and the team will retain more focus.</p>
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<p><b>BSD</b>: Is <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/76903/rex-burkhead" class="sbn-auto-link">Rex Burkhead</a> going to play on Saturday? If not, how much does that hurt Nebraska's chances?</p>
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<p><b> Billgrip</b>: Before this season started, pretty much everyone agreed that Rex Burkhead getting hurt would be a total disaster for this offense. He got hurt in the 1st quarter of the season opener, and I am convinced we wouldn’t have lost to UCLA the next week if Rex had played. However, since that time the offense adjusted and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/132010/ameer-abdullah" class="sbn-auto-link">Ameer Abdullah</a> has proven to be a more than capable backup. He’s a little guy that can gain tough yards and also has the speed to break off big runs. That being said, there is only one Rex Burkhead. He’s easily the most experienced, trustworthy running back on the team. No one can break a tackle like Rex. Late in a game there’s no one I’d rather see with the ball than Burkhead.</p>
<p><b> Aaron</b>: Not sure. To be honest, I think he might be about done for the year. He has to start thinking about his future and being able to walk is important. If we see him, great. If not, we hope he gets better.</p>
<p><b> Husker Mike</b>: Don’t bet on it. My guess is that he’s going to sit out a couple more weeks. One thing we’ve learned is that Ameer Abdullah might be a better all-around back than Burkhead. Burkhead is a fan favorite with his non-stop effort, but he’s not a gamebreaker. Abdullah is that kind of back.</p>
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<p><b>BSD</b>: Most of the good Nebraska teams in recent memory have won with defense, but outside of shutting down <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/76856/denard-robinson" class="sbn-auto-link">Denard Robinson</a>, this year's unit has been shaky. Where can the Penn State offense exploit the Husker D, and where will it have trouble?</p>
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<p><b> Billgrip</b>: The defense has improved in recent weeks, but still struggles stopping the run. On the flipside, Nebraska is actually in the top 10 in several passing defense categories. However, this Saturday will be the most Nebraska’s secondary has been tested all year. It will be interesting to see how they hold up.</p>
<p><b> Aaron</b>: The defense has played a lot better recently. They are gelling at the right time. Historically, Bo Pelini likes to play to prevent big plays, but that tends to lead to easy yards on the ground. The past couple years, we haven’t had a dominating defensive lineman to really plug up the center of the field and get pressure on the quarterback. Opposing teams with solid offensive lines have been able to contain us and have been successful at getting 3-5 yards per carry by just running it right at us.</p>
<p><b> Husker Mike</b>: The key to exploiting Nebraska’s defense is having a running back to complement a mobile quarterback. Two rushing threats is something that Nebraska struggles with.</p>
<p><b> Jon</b>: UCLA scouted us well and had a whole group of their sideline staff dress as warrior nuns. It freaked out the whole secondary for an entire half. Now that the season has gone on, everyone’s settled into minor ticks, so unless you plan on having centaur-riding orcs who can cast magic missile, you are completely screwed. There are no weaknesses on this defense anymore, especially at home.</p>
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<p><b>BSD: </b>How do you see this one shaking out?</p>
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<p><b> Billgrip</b>: This Husker team is like a box of chocolates...making predicting how they’ll play a big challenge. I think that Penn State is a very good team, and I’m very impressed with Bill O’Brien. But the Huskers seem very set on getting to the Big 10 championship, and this one is at home. Advantage, Nebraska...right? Ah, but turnovers could be a huge equalizer in this game. The Huskers just can’t help but turn the ball over a couple times a game this year. It’s not matter of if, but when. Penn State is best in the Big 10 with a +9 margin, while Nebraska is worst and has a -9 margin. I’ll say if Nebraska ends the game with anything worse than -2, this will be a close game that could go either way. I predict Nebraska finishes at exactly -2 in turnovers and sneaks out a win. <i>Nebraska 28, Penn State 20 </i></p>
<p><b> Aaron</b>: Penn State will likely win this game if they can get turnovers and capitalize on them. Also, at least a 20 point lead going into the fourth quarter would be ideal for the Lions. Prediction? If you’re coming out for the game, the weather will be gorgeous.</p>
<p><b> Husker Mike</b>: I think I’ve given up trying to predict how Nebraska is going to play, other than to expect them to screw up a bunch of things, and come storming back late. So<i> Huskers 31, Penn State 21</i>.</p>
<p><b>Jon</b>: No secret to this one at all. It’s at home, where Martinez and everyone else is comfortable. Nebraska will be in destroy mode, there will be no need for come from behind heroics - my liver has seen the future and spoken to me about it. <i>Nebraska 35, Penn State 21</i></p>
<p><i>Thanks again for helping out, guys, and be sure to check </i><a href="http://www.cornnation.com"><i>CornN</i><i>ation </i></a><i>later this week for my answers to their questions.</i></p>
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https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2012/11/8/3618100/brief-interviews-with-hideous-men-nebraska-editiondevon2012