Blue White Roundtable: Week 3

We have made it to week three and PSU remains undefeated (joining only twenty two other undefeated teams in the top twenty five). This week William, from WWN, brings us the questions Nittany Nation is facing for the upcoming week. My answers can be found below, for more accurate, better written responses please check out RUTS, BSD, TNL, and TNB.

1.) Thus far the defense has given up three points (on a short field) in two games. Have they proved that they are an elite unit or are they still untested?

I think you have to say largely untested. FIU and Notre Dame have combined to score a total and I mean TOTAL of 23 points in two games apiece. I assume nobody will suggest that FIU is a serious challenge to defend and PSU faced a very inexperienced Notre Dame offense. PSU's first test of the season, especially defensively, still remains at Michigan.

2.) Anthony Morelli made a great throw to Chris Bell for 51 yards but also fumbled and was picked off twice. How concerned are you about him as the starting quarterback?

One must approach Morelli with guarded optimism. He has shown that he can manage a game effectively but he has also shown a continued proclivity to horrible decision making. I think I've been saying this for just over twelve months now, but if Morelli can limit the mistakes and turn-overs he can lead PSU to glory. That is what it all boils down to. Lets hope Morelli puts this shit together fast because the start of the Big Ten Schedule is two weeks away.

3.) Don't look now, but this week's opponent Buffalo dropped 42 on Temple this past Saturday. Granted Temple is awful, but should we be concerned at all?

No, and I'll tell you why. The Bulls have a efficient returning QB and experienced WRs, however, against quality opponents (BC & Auburn) the Bulls only put up 191 yards TOTAL! James Stark is a talented RB and rushed for over 700 yds last year and averaged over 4 yds/carry. However, if you look at what he did against quality opponents (again BC & Auburn) he rushed for only 67 yds on 29 carries. What hides behind these stats? I think it tells you Buffalo's offensive line is terrible and when they face big time opponents they just don't match up. In sum, the Bulls are fine for the MAC but should get blown off the field on Saturday. Find the full break down here. I previously predicted

LIGHTING ROUND
Where you at the game? If so, does the atmosphere stand up to other big games like Nebraska in 2002, Ohio State in 2005, etc.?

I was not at the game. However, it looked like it was crazy. I was at the 2002 Nebraska game and I was insanely fired up. That being said, the White Out is the most impressive sight in sports.

Do you think Jimmy Clausen will be a good QB?

If he manages to survive a tough season behind a poor offensive line Clausen shows potential to be a really good QB.

Do you work with any Notre Dame fans? If so, what kind of mood where they in on Monday morning?

Sadly, no. However, I can only imagine the general mood of ND fans can be described as: Pouty.

GO STATE! GET FIRED UP FOR THE BULLS!

Breaking Down: The Buffalo Bulls

The Buffalo Bulls are clearly Penn State's last "tune-up" game of the fall before embarking on their Big Ten schedule (@ Michigan, @ Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin in successive weeks). So save the White-0ut for Wisconsin you little scamps! The Bills went 2-10 last year in the MAC with wins against Temple and Kent State (the cream of the MAC!) This, much like the FIU game, will be a game where you want to watch for improvement from key parts of the team (O-line & D-line) and for no injuries to occur. If the team comes out of this game healthy and having gained experience at key positions then victory is ours! While I don't claim to be a master of Bulls football, I will attempt to give me meager analysis below.




Drugs are for Turds!

Passing:
Drew Willy will return to take snaps for the Bulls. Willy is a returning junior who completed nearly 60% of his passes for a little under 1400 yds. in 2006. However, when you check out his games against quality opponnents (BC and Auburn) he only threw for 191 yds. total. The Bulls do, however, return two of their top receivers for 2007 in Breaux and Roosevelt. All in all, the Bulls will be an improved passing team in 2007. This improvement, however, will not make them good enough to challenge a defense like PSU's.

Rushing:
James Starks will be the Bull to watch when Buffalo has the ball. As a Freshman Starks rushed for 704 yds while averaging 4 yds/carry. Again, if you look as his stats against quality opponents (BC and Auburn) he rushed for only 67 yds on 29 carries (2.3 yds/carry). This year I think Starks could rush for 1000 yards, however, only 64 of those will come against the Nittany Lions. (write that prediction down mother-fuckers!)
(Electric Boogaloo!) Defense:
The Bulls gave up 36 points a game last year. In the MAC. Yikes. I see no reason to believe that this trend will reverse itself in 2007. Penn State will win by 40+ points and no starter will play beyond the third quarter.

Prediction
PSU: 69
Bulls: 12

GO STATE! GET FIRED UP FOR THE FALL!