Preview, Game 3: No. 17 Penn State at Syracuse

Kickoff: Sat., Sept. 13. 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC Regional/GamePlan

Weather Forecast: Inside Carrier Dome.

Host: Syracuse Orange
Record: 0-2 (0-0, Big East)
Last Game: Lost to Akron, 42-28

Injuries: WR Dan Sheeran (leg - out season), LB Chad Battles (leg - doubtful)
Key Players: (offense) RB Curtis Brinkley, QB Cameron Dantley ; (defense) DL Arthur Jones, DE Vincenzo Giruzzi
Head Coach: Greg Robinson, 4th season, 7-30
Season Statistics:
Offense - 170 rush/119 pass/19 points per game
Defense - 243.5 rush/237.5 pass/36 points per game
TO Margin - (0)

Why SU will win -- Forcing Turnovers: The Orange haven’t exactly been stellar this season taking the ball away from opponents. Frankly, it could be SU’s only option in this game. The defense has been gouged by Northwestern and Akron in consecutive weeks, and those two offenses are nothing compared to the PSU machine. A key interception or fumble could help keep things respectable. Luck: Yeah, SU will need a lot of it. Orange faithful are longing for the days when this was a serious battle of two great teams, not, well... this.

Visitor: Penn State Nittany Lions
Record: 2-0 (0-0, Big Ten)
Last Game: Beat Oregon State, 45-14
Injuries: DE Maurice Evans (suspension - out game), DT Abe Koroma (suspension - out game), Jerome Hayes (ACL - out season), LB Sean Lee (ACL - out season), DE Devon Still (ankle - out season), S Nick Sukay (foot - out season)
Key Players: (offense) WR Derrick Williams, QBs Daryll Clark; (defense) DE Aaron Maybin, LB Josh Hull
Head Coach: Joe Paterno, 43rd season, 374-125-3
Season Statistics:
Offense - 286.5 rush/237.5 pass/55 points per game
Defense - 72 rush/224 pass/12 points per game
TO Margin - (+2)

Why PSU will win -- Just Show Up: That’s all PSU really has to do this week. I think it’s a matter of how well PSU plays, not if they’ll win. There’s been a lot of speculation that Joe Paterno will reel in the offense a bit, but it won’t be what PSU fans are used to on the road. I think it will be tough for PSU to not score 30 points. So, all they have to do is show up. Offensive Line: In case you’ve been living in a cave the last two weeks, PSU’s offensive line is really, really, ridiculously good. With these five, combined with the great lead-blocking of Dan Lawlor and Brett Brackett, PSU could run for 200 in the first half this week.

What will happen: Penn State will have no problem dispatching the Orange. Last week, I thought Oregon State would scare PSU a bit, but it was the opposite. So this week, I’ll expect PSU to come out strong. Maybe not as strong as last week, but it won’t give Lions fans reason to worry. Syracuse should be able to nab a couple big pass plays against the PSU secondary, but it might not be enough. SU has to hold PSU under 25 points, but won’t. I’ll just come out with it already, there’s not chance for the Orange.

Prediction: No. 17 Penn State, 52 - Syracuse, 16