No. 23 Penn State vs. Temple, Preview

School: Temple University (TU), Owls
Conference: Big Ten
Head Coach: Al Golden, 4-17 overall
Last Game: Lost to Ohio, 23-7
Record Last Five Years (sans 2007): 8-50 overall ; 0-0 in bowls; 2-12 non-conference

Key Players, Defense: S Dominique Harris, DE Junior Galette, DT Andre Neblett

Key Players, Offense: QB Vaughn Charlton, RB Jason Harper, WR Bruce Francis

What to look for: D – Pressure, pressure, pressure. TU has to get into the backfield and in the face of PSU QB Anthony Morelli. It actually has a good chance to do so, with its strongest play this season coming from its front four. Galette and Neblett have led the defense with a combined 11 sacks (minus-59) and 4 forced fumbles. While sacks may be hard to come by, pressure can do the trick this week. And once TU gets PSU out of its timing, it can force a few bad throws, right into the arms of Harris. He’s easily the defense’s MVP, leading the team with 60 tackles, 2 INTs and 4 PBUs. TU can’t stop PSU this week, but it can certainly slow them down and be a real pain in the butt.

O – Establishing the run should be out of the equation this week for TU. I know that sounds ridiculous, but considering TU has no chance to win, it might as well give PSU as many headaches as possible. TU can get something going with screens to Harper, and maybe some misdirection bubble screens, but considering Charlton is only starting his second game, easy passes are key. Former PSU QB Adam DiMichele was on a roll for TU, completing 62 percent for almost 1600 yards until he went down in the Miami (OH) win. It’s one thing to lead TU to a win over Miami (OH), but over PSU is another story. If Charlton is going to look for someone to get the ball to, it will be Francis, who leads the team by a long shot with 41 catches and a monstrous 16 ypc and 6 TDs. Get a couple first downs, and TU can call it a victory.

ST – There’s not much that is “special” about this unit. While one of the best return games last season, its numbers have fallen off considerably, mainly with KR Travis Shelton gaining only 21 yards per kick return and no TDs. If TU wants to breathe at all this week, it will have to get the ball outside of the 20 yard line. Last week, Purdue kept the game close by nailing some long field goals, but unfortunately for TU, K Jake Brownell isn’t as reliable. He’s made only 3 of 9 beyond 30 yards, with a long of 41.

C – Where’s one of the most underrated coaching staffs in the nation? Duh, TU. Al Golden is a star in the making. Sure, 3-6 isn’t good for about 80 percent of the rest of the world, but for TU, it’s a miracle. Watch for Golden to try a few wrinkles and give his former head coach a few fits doing it. The defense is run by another PSU grad in Mark D’Onofrio. Although the defense isn’t pumping out NFL picks, it’s done a huge turnaround in only one season’s time.

Interesting Stat: Average score, TU vs. Opponents: 2005-06, 9.9 - 41.4, 2007: 18.9 - 28.2.

School: The Pennsylvania State University (PSU), Nittany Lions
Conference: Big Ten
Head Coach: Joe Paterno, 42nd Year, 370-124-3
Last Game: Lost to Ohio State, 37-17
Record Last Five Years (sans 2007): 36-25; 1-1 in bowls; 7-4 non-conference

Key Players, Defense: CB Justin King, S Anthony Scirrotto, DE Maurice Evans

Key Players, Offense: QB Anthony Morelli, RB Evan Royster, WR Derrick Williams

What to look for: D – This unit’s numbers against Purdue were a bit deceiving, as Curtis Painter threw for a whopping 255 yards. However, PU didn’t reach the end zone after the first play of the game, and the PSU secondary generally held when it counted most. PSU has to take advantage of a TU team that’s reeling after the loss of its heart and soul DiMichele. Getting pressure from Evans and DE Josh Gaines is a must to force errant throws by Charlton. I listed Scirrotto this week mainly because he’s due for a big game. Not many teams have thrown his way this season, but I think TU will be so desperate; it will chuck it around all game long. If the corners can play aggressive as they did against PU, TU doesn’t have a chance.

O – It was about time the coaching staff used Williams the correct way. There was no excuse previously for not getting the ball to him 12 or more times per game. Although there won’t be the need to get him the ball as much this week, PSU has to set the tone for MSU without looking ahead. Watch for Williams to amass another 100 total yards, with one score coming on the ground. Possibly the biggest positive coming out of last week's win was the emergence of Royster as the future of PSU. If he and starting senior Rodney Kinlaw can break a few long ones, it will be mission accomplished. The offensive line has been blocking well the last few weeks, and should look even better against TU. Don't expect any sacks from the first team.

ST – K Kevin Kelly has rebounded from a spotty start to settle down, making 17 of 22 kicks this season. The biggest problem for PSU has been on kickoff coverage, surrendering two key TDs early in games. If the coverage unit doesn't work on staying in its lanes and making the tackles, TU could take advantage early. If P Jeremy Boone doesn't receiver post-season accolades, something is seriously wrong. Only a redshirt freshman, he's bombed away for 43 yards per boot, landing 21 inside the 20 and having none blocked. His ability to keep opponents pinned deep has bailed out PSU on several occasions.

C – Don't worry about embarrassing the other team, Joe Paterno. Put this one away by halftime. Let the starters rest early, and get guys like Daryl Clark and Chris Colasanti playing time. If this coaching staff can't churn out at least 24 points before the half, they're not doing their jobs. I'll give the defense one mulligan field goal, but that's it. Tom Bradley can't afford to play loose when PSU is looking for brownie points going into the bowl season.

Interesting Stat: True sophomore end Maurice Evans is third nationally in sacks (12.5) and TFLs (21.5), but still, somehow was left off the Lombardi Award Finalist list (best front-seven defender). Interesting how OSU LB Laurinaitis made the list, hmmm.

GAME PREDICTION: I've tried to be cute the last few games, predicting exactly how the scoring would happen. Well, after being nearly dead wrong each week, I'll just go with how I think the general feel of the game will be. PSU should start off quick, with a few good first downs, but not the dominating performance many would like on offense. That will change in the second quarter with an outburst of points, highlighted by a huge play from one of the PSU skill positions. TU will keep the score respectable until halftime. Once PSU's second team is in, TU will get a sack or two and maybe a turnover. After all, what would a PSU game be without a few turnovers to piss off the fans?

PSU 42, TU 10

VEGAS:

PSU (-25) TU

ACTUAL SCORE:

PSU 31, TU 0