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