No Big Ten title, but at large BCS bid up for grabs

by Joseph Birmingham

Saturday November 21, 2009 

No Big Ten title, but at large BCS bid up for grabs thumbnail

With Ohio State handling Michigan late, they appear to have the Big Ten title wrapped up, which means when the Penn State Nittany Lions take the field in a few minutes to do battle with the Michigan State Spartans the most they can do is ensure eligibility for an at large BCS bowl bid.  With 10 victories and a top 14 BCS ranking and the broad fan base that follows their every move,  that should do it !!

Royster should certainly surpass the 1,000 yard mark early on, as he has 175 carries for 990 yards, a 5.7 yard per rush average and 5 touchdowns.  Daryl Clark is also due a good game, after starting last week off horribly with multiple first half interceptions against a weak Indiana defense.  Over the past two seasons the Lions are 12-0 when he goes without an interception, and have 4 losses when he throws multiple picks.   No pressure Clark, but, manage that ball !

Last year Clark had his best game against this team, throwing for five touxhdowns and 341 yards in the 49-18 rout.

Michigan State could qualify for the post season with a win, but they have their work cut out for them.  Penn State defense is currently ranked 4th among Football  Bowl Subdivision teams with 11.6 points allowed per game, and ninth in total yards allowed with 272 per game.  They do have the advantage of playing in East Lansing, where Penn State has struggled in recent years.  Paterno’s team has allowed an average of 36.5 points and 448.3 yards in losing four of six at Spartan Stadium since 1997.

Brandon Beachum is missing this game, and will be missed both in the backfield and on special teams.   Especially on special teams where the Lions rank in the bottom ten in the nation in punt and kickoff returns, and yards allowed on returns.

This game should be a 35-17 win for the Lions based on talent, coaching, and intangibles, but nothing is assured in college football, espcially in the Big Ten and especially over the past few years as upsets have become more and more common.  Michigan State has top ten punt return numbers, Penn State has top ten defensive numbers, yet JoePa, who still ranks third in Brown University history on punt returns joked before the game that maybe the Lions could take the Spartans down on a punt return for touchdown !  Stranger things have happened.

If the Lion do win and go to 10-2 they are assured a prominant national bowl berth with the at large BCS bid, and Michigna State may well be sitting at home when the season ends.

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