Preview: Eastern Illinois at No. 12/14 Penn State

Kickoff/TV: Sat., Oct. 10, 12:00 p.m. ET/ESPN Classic (Dave Lamont and JC Pearson)
Weather Forecast: Cool, Sunny. Ground could be wet from Friday rain.
Series Record: First ever meeting.

Host: Penn State Nittany Lions
Record: 4-1 (1-1 Big Ten)
Last Game: Won at Illinois, 35-17
Injuries: LB Navorro Bowman (groin - probable), LB Nate Stupar (ankle - possible), RT DeOn'Tae Pannell (possible - ankle), LB Sean Lee (knee - doubtful), RT Nerraw McCormack (doubtful - ankle), WR Devon Smith (concussion - doubtful), DT Brandon Ware (ankle - out), DB Jacob Fagnano (ankle - out), FB Josh Matzkin (foot - out), DE Pete Massaro (ACL - out ssn), LB Mike Mauti (ACL - out ssn)
Key Players: (offense) QB Daryll Clark, RB Evan Royster, QB Kevin Newsome; (defense) DT Jared Odrick, SS Nick Sukay, LB Josh Hull
Head Coach: Joe Paterno, 44th season at Penn State, 387-128-3; 23-11 bowl record
Season Statistics:
Offense - 169.4 rush/233.0 pass/27.0 points per game
Defense - 86.4 rush/179.2 pass/11.6 points per game
TO Margin - (-3)/(-0.6) per game

Penn State, on paper -- Any chance of an Eastern Illinois upset bid went out the window when Penn State's offensive line woke up from a four-week-long nap. At Illinois, Penn State was able to wear down the Illini defense, highlighted by a completely dominant third quarter, during which Penn State out-gained Illinois 208-8 in 15 minutes. Most of that was due to an offensive line that plowed holes bigger than anything the Nittany Lion running backs have run through all season. Not only did Penn State boast two 100-yard running backs for the day, but Daryll Clark chipped in for 83 yards, including a 51-yard jaunt on third down that seemed to break Illinois' collective back. It was easily the Lions' most complete game on offense all season long, after being unable to do so in any of the four previous games.

While the offense had struggled before last weekend, the defense had kept Penn State in or ahead of every game. Even against Iowa, the Penn State defense surrendered only 13 of the 21 points against the Lions. Last week, the defense gave up a few big plays to Juice Williams and Arrelious Benn, but only three points going into the half. The defense was key in the game-changing third quarter, stalling drive after drive, usually in a three-and-out. It was a prime example of Penn State's "bend, but don't break" defense. However, the final numbers from Illinois are a bit misleading, as the Nittany Lions went into prevent-mode towards the end, which meant a ton of garbage yards and points for the Illini. Penn State looks like it's found an offense to go along with an already great defense.

Visitor: Eastern Illinois Panthers
Record: 4-1 (2-1, Ohio Valley)
Last Game: Lost vs Eastern Kentucky, 36-31
Injuries: N/A
Key Players: (offense) RB Mon Williams, QB Jake Christensen; (defense) LB Cory Leman, CB CJ James
Head Coach: Bob Spoo, 22nd season at EIU, 136-110-1 overall.
Season Statistics:
Offense - 152.2 rush/219.4 pass/29.2 points per game
Defense - 94.0 rush/171.4 pass/15.2 points per game
TO Margin - (-1)/(-0.2) per game

Eastern Illinois, on paper -- The Panthers have more talent than a middle of the road FCS team, with transfers from Iowa, Florida and Michigan in the starting lineup. That talent has led to EIU's top 25 ranking, and a 4-1 record with the only loss by five points to no. 18 Eastern Kentucky. In last week's loss, Eastern Illinois couldn't get out of its own way. Despite several leads in the game, turnovers and poor pass protection absolutely killed the Panthers. Former Iowa quarterback Jake Christensen fumbled twice and was sacked six times, but was still able to have a good day through the air. Christensen passed for 21-of-35 for 294 yards and 3 touchdowns in the losing effort. Florida transfer Mon Williams was held under his season average coming in, rushing for only 77 yards and one score against the Colonels. This season, EIU has lost a whopping 10 fumbles, on top of three interceptions by Christensen.

But with all those turnovers, the defense has been fantastic at giving the ball back to the offense, recovering eight fumbles and picking off four passes. The Panthers defense also blocked a punt last week, but the offense wasn't able to capitalize on the great field position handed to it. Cory Leman, brother of former Illinois All-American J Leman, has emerged this season as a leader on defense, topping the charts in tackles (47) from his linebacker spot.

On the field -- Eastern Illinois may be a good FCS team, but not nearly good enough to pull the mammoth upset in Happy Valley. With such a stock of FBS talent on offense, it wouldn't be the least bit surprising to see the Panthers hang around for a quarter or two. It will all depend on the defense Tom Bradley decides to run for Penn State. If the Nittany Lions can attack the Panthers' offense, not allowing Christensen to get into a rhythm, it should be a rough afternoon for EIU.

The Nittany Lions will be missing a ton of players this week due to injuries, but with such a deep roster, particularly on defense, Penn State shouldn't miss much of a beat. With such a banged up depth chart, this is essentially the perfect week to host a team like Eastern Illinois. It will allow Penn State to rest its starting lineup, and finally give the backups some meaningful playing time. If the Lions can get out to a big lead before halftime, all eyes will be on second-string freshman quarterback Kevin Newsome. Even Joe Paterno said this week he wishes Newsome had seen more time in the first five weeks. This should be the time to do it.

The biggest indicator of the talent gap between two teams is usually found on defense. Eastern Illinois could move the ball a bit against Penn State, but the real difference in this game will be the Panthers' defensive speed against the Lions' offense. Even if it takes Penn State a few drives to get things rolling, scoring points in this game won't be a problem for the Nittany Lions.

Extra points -- This will be the third time in four seasons Penn State has played an FCS opponent... Beaver Stadium has only reached capacity once this season, Sept. 26 vs Iowa... EIU has won four Ohio Valley Conference titles since 2000... Attendance prediction: 104,800

Prediction: No. 12/14 Penn State, 38 - Eastern Illinois, 3

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First Look: Iowa Hawkeyes

If you thought it was bad in State College, just take a trip out to Iowa City. Quickly forgotten by the main stream media, the trouble surrounding Kirk Ferentz & Co. has been nearing critical mass for some time. From drug charges to credit card fraud, the convictions have been constant and troublesome. Fortunately for this down-and-out program, there’s growing optimism for 2008. From 2002 to 2004, no Big Ten team won more games than Iowa. This year could see the Hawkeyes produce that way again, but it all depends on getting the offense rolling behind a good offensive line, a veteran quarterback, and a strong front four on defense. While there might not be the fireworks of 2002, or the magic of 2004, this Iowa team is very dangerous from top to bottom, and no team should take them lightly.

1. Is Ferentz worth it? -- Kirk Ferentz had a slow start in Iowa, going 4-10 his first two seasons. Then in 2002, it all came together with a co-Big Ten championship and a trip to the Orange Bowl. Two more 10-win seasons followed, and Ferentz was rewarded with a very hefty pay increase. Things haven’t, well, panned out exactly as the university administration had planned. Although Ferentz isn’t going anywhere, his 19-18 record from 2005 to now has caused some concern over the direction his program is heading. On top of all those on-field issues, the off-field problems have only compounded the tensions. All of which, however, will be quickly forgotten if Ferentz conjures up some of that old magic in 2008. Another coach of the year award is only 10 wins away.

2. It’s all about the pass protection -- You’d be hard pressed to find a more impotent offense in college football than the Hawkeyes’. They weren’t just bad, they were really, really bad. Did I say it loud enough? They were like Penn State 2004 bad! This year, however, could be night-and-day better than 2007, especially on the offensive line. That won’t be hard to do after giving up a conference-worst 35 sacks (-200 yds), and plowing the way for a mere 110 rushing yards per game. It was very sad watching Jake Christensen (2269 yds, 17 TDs) trying to operate with virtually no protection. It wasn’t even like the running game was able to take any pressure off Christensen. The defense will be excellent this year, provided that the linebacking corps steps up a little, and lead by the best set of defensive tackles in college football in Mitch King and Matt Kroul. If the offense can muster up more than 25 points per game in 2008, look for Iowa to land itself in a January bowl game.

3. Big boys off the rotation -- If you thought missing Ohio State and Michigan in one season is a good thing, just ask Purdue in 2005 (5-6 record). This year, Iowa manages to miss both those squads, and gets most of the tough teams in Kinnick Stadium. Unless Maine (I-AA), Florida International or Iowa State pulls a huge upset in Iowa City, the Hawkeyes should cruise to a 3-0 record before traveling to Pittsburgh, where the Panthers should be favored. A home date with Northwestern comes up before dangerous trips to Michigan State and Indiana. Prior to the bye, Wisconsin comes to town. It will be very difficult to for this Hawkeyes team to stay perfect heading into the final stretch of at Illinois, home against Penn State and Purdue, and finishing up at Minnesota. Eight of the games are winnable, but there will be no room for mammoth gaffes like Western Michigan in 2007 (28-19 loss with bowl bid on the line). This isn’t the easiest schedule, but it’s very workable for a New Years bowl game.

Next Week's First Look: Indiana Hoosiers

-First Look: Ohio State Buckeyes
-First Look: Michigan Wolverines
-First Look: Wisconsin Badgers
-First Look: Purdue Boilermakers
-First Look: Illinois Fighting Illini
-First Look: Temple Owls
-First Look: Syracuse Orange(men)
-First Look: Oregon State Beavers
-First Look: Coastal Carolina Chanticleers

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