Preview, Game 2: No. 19 Penn State vs. Oregon State

Kickoff: Sat., Sept. 6. 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN

Weather Forecast: Strong chance for Rain; Warm.

Host: No. 19 Penn State Nittany Lions
Record: 1-0 (0-0, Big Ten)
Last Game: Defeated Coastal Carolina 66-10
Injuries: DE Maurice Evans (suspension - out game), DT Abe Koroma (suspension - out game), TE Andrew Quarless (suspension - out game), LB Sean Lee (ACL - out season), DE Devon Still (ankle - out season), S Nick Sukay (foot - out season)
Key Players: (offense) RB Evan Royster, QBs Daryll Clark; (defense) S Anthony Scirrotto, LB Josh Hull
Head Coach: Joe Paterno, 43rd season, 373-125-3
Season Statistics:
Offense - 334 rush/260 pass/66 points per game
Defense - 52 rush/198 pass/10 points per game
TO Margin - (+1)

Why PSU will win -- The rushing game: If Stanford can rip off 210 yards against Oregon State, then Penn State shouldn’t have too much trouble. But this week, PSU has to be ready for a team that’s no Coastal Carolina. OSU has won at least nine games two years in a row, and won its last two bowl games. But OSU did lose to Stanford. Penn State will need to keep the ball as long as possible this week, with the suspensions on defense. Special Teams: It’s supposed to rain, a lot. If so, this one can come right down to the special teams play. I’m guessing Kevin Kelly will hit one of two this week, but the return games and punting will be stellar. Even if AJ Wallace doesn’t play (I think he will), Penn State should enjoy great field position on a soggy field.

Visitor: Oregon State Beavers
Record: 0-1 (0-1, Pac 10)
Last Game: Lost @ Stanford 36-28
Injuries: G Jeremy Perry (Knee - Possible), C Marcus Henderson (Mono - Possible)
Key Players: (offense) QB Lyle Moevao, WR Sam Stroughter; (defense) LB Bryant Cornell, DL Victor Butler
Head Coach: Mike Riley, 8th season @ OSU, 47-39
Season Statistics:
Offense - 86 rush/404 pass/28 points per game
Defense - 210 rush/91 pass/36 points per game
TO Margin - (-2)

Why OSU will win -- Turnovers: Get Penn State out of its groove early, and this one could go Oregon State’s way in a hurry. And now with the PSU suspensions, OSU will be looking for every way to take advantage. With slippery conditions possible, look for the OSU defenders to constantly rip for the ball. I’m not sure OSU can go toe-to-toe with PSU if it turns into a shootout, but the Beavers would love for it to come to that. The Passing Game: Oregon State was reduced to chucking the ball around once behind at Stanford. This week, Mike Riley already said the key will be balance. But I really think the balance for OSU will come from the passing game. Get the PSU secondary nice and soft, then send a few runs right at the depleted PSU defensive line. It’s a tough task, even if the PSU defense will be watered down, but not entirely impossible.

What will happen: I just don’t see PSU losing this game. But OSU will scare the hell out of PSU fans. Once PSU pulls away from a tight game, ESPN will talk more about the recent off-the-field issues, instead of the game itself. Daryll Clark will look great again, but the running game will be even better. The defense will be surprisingly stout, but not by PSU standards. The PSU wideouts will shine.

Prediction: No. 19 Penn State, 38 - Oregon State, 24