Blue White Roundtable :: Minnesota

Penn State hosts Minnesota this weekend. It will be the Lions' first real test since Iowa, which turned out to be an epic fail. Which team shows up to play this homecoming Saturday? Anyway, roundtable time...

I'm assuming these are the folks who will eventually get their entries posted, but don't quote me on that...
W. F. Yurasko
Happy Hour Valley
The Nittany Line
Zombie Nation
Nittany Whiteout
Penn State Clips (host)
2 The Lion

Blue White Roundtable - Week 7, Minnesota Golden Gophers

1. How does Penn State stop the Minnesota offense (a/k/a Eric Decker)?

Would you believe that I'm not terribly worried about Eric Decker? I think Minnesota has a better chance to beat the Nittany Lions defense by spreading the ball around to different players, and actually committing to the rushing game. Penn State typically does well when faced with defending a single star receiver. Of course, there are guys like Ted Ginn and Arrelious Benn, but they are/were multi-threats. I'm reminded of 2007 vs. Indiana. James Hardy ripped apart the Penn State defense, particularly the Lions' best corner, Justin King. But in the end, going to Hardy, and Hardy alone, wouldn't be enough. You have to attack this defense from every front, and not allow it to key in on one player.

Is Minnesota's defense as awful as their statistical rankings make it look?

Just part of it. Unfortunately for the Gophers, it's their run defense that's terrible. Looking at tape, Penn State coaches should be salivating at the thought of Evan Royster and Stephfon Green ripping off six to eight yards a clip this week. Then again, I've been terribly wrong about these kinds of things, too.

But Minnesota has gone up against two of the best running backs in college football this season, Jahvid Best and John Clay. Throw in Wisconsin's second and third stringers, which are better than most teams' first stringers, and you've got disaster in Gopher-land. Overall, Minnesota has a mediocre defense. It could have its moments (fumble return TD vs Wisky) against Penn State. However, I just don't see them hanging in long enough to allow the Gopher offense to pull this one out.

Mid-point of the season, which of the PSU freshmen do you project as future stars?

I haven't seen anyone hit like Gerald Hodges since probably Chris Harrell back during the lean years. Penn State loves them some hitters in the back seven, and Hodges has the goods. I'm a bit disappointed with his move to full-time linebacker this week, but he could end up moving back to safety. He's easily the most physically gifted safety Penn State's had in decades, and obviously has the maturity to play early. The coaches wouldn't have put him on the field if he wasn't ready.

Not to harp on this too much, but let's go back to his apparent move to linebacker. I'm not sure this is exactly what the staff has done with him. It wouldn't surprise me at all to see Hodges play a safety/LB role, similar to the Hero position. Penn State still uses Joe Paterno's old 4-4 defense, where a safety rolls down into the box to play as a fourth linebacker. Either way, I love what this kid brings to the defense, and can't wait to see him in action more next season.

Lightening Round...

Where were you when Minnesota got lucky because Penn State did not put them away at Homecoming '99? Ok, it was 10 years ago... we can let this go now.

Will Minnesota open with an on-side kick? This is Tim Brewster, not Glen Mason.

What is your best homecoming memory (that you can say in this forum at least :p)? Of the four homecomings during my actual days as a student/in the band, only one, 2005 vs Purdue, was not a rain-soaked affair. So, I'll go with that one.