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Penn State Preview and Prediction
By Charlie Simon
Matchup: Penn State Nittany Lion (5-2, 2-0) at Northwestern Wildcats (2-2, 0-1)
Date: Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017, 11:00 a.m. CDT
TV: ABC
Line: PSU (-14) (O/U 51.5)
Outlook:
I am sorry but I have nothing for this write up. Zilch, zippo,
nada. I turned off the Northwestern / Wisc game last week in the
third quarter. NU was up 10-7 at halftime but should have been up
more. The NU defense had created 3 turnovers and the best the O
could do was 10 points. Twice on 3rd and 1 the O was
stuffed. Wisc scored in the 3rd quarter, NU 3 and out. Wisc
scores again, NU 3 and out. Wisc scores again, NU throws a pick
six INT. Game over. Somehow NU did manage to puts some more
points on the board but NU continues to struggle to press their
advantage when they have one and make second half adjustments.
PSU comes to town with stud running back Saquon Barkley. Here is how Fitz describes him:
"You know, Barkley is maybe the best player that I've ever seen on tape," Fitzgerald said.
"I've played against some pretty good backs, I've coached against some
pretty good backs, but he's just absolutely spectacular. He's great in
the run game, he's great in protection, catching the ball out of the
backfield. He's a great return man. He does it all."
The scary part is that right now PSU is a better passing team then
running team. They are averaging over 40 points per game. Their
pass protection is suspect but can NU capitalize on this?
NU's defense is mediocre as their secondary has lost several players to
injury and their LBs and line lack play makers. NU's offense is
similar as the line is nothing to brag about and our best player, RB
Justin Jackson, has yet to hit his stride. It could be a long day
but I think NU is in the game until the 3rd quarter.
PICK: PSU wins but NU covers. Or maybe they don't...
Penn State 31, Northwestern 17.
Season to date: 3-1 straight up, 1-3 ATS
The Lowes Line is an
e-mailed description of NU's
next
football game, with an invariably fearless prediction of the outcome
and
how NU will fare against what the other "experts" predict. Our
good
friend and Brother Marcus Lowes began the broadcast mailing in 1996.
The crack Lowes Line Staff (alumni Jersey Cat,
GallopingGrapes, Eric Cockerill, Joel Kanvik, Charlie Simon, and
MO'Cats) have continued the Line in memory of Marcus.
For
the 2017 season it has returned to HailToPurple.com,
for anyone to enjoy. Thanks to the gridiron brain trust at the Lowes
Line!
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