Penn State Football: Previewing The Opponent: Illinois

Last Week:

For the Nittany Lions, last week provided the exit ramp to one more aspect of the NCAA sanctions as Penn State once again become bowl eligible with a win over Temple. With over 200 yards rushing and plenty of forced turnovers, it was a day not soon to be forgotten in the long history of Penn State football.

Farther west things were far less impressive or memorable for the Illini as they fell 30-14 to Iowa in their 6th loss in 8 games. With the Tim Beckman era seemingly only weeks from its conclusion a 4-6 Illinois team has to win-out to become bowl eligible. Thats a daunting task even if the opponents are an up and down Penn State team and a never entirely consistent Northwestern squad. If the Illini somehow pull off the near impossible, it’s hard to imagine Beckman surviving the offseason as Illinois’ coach.

The Good:

Despite missing a good portion of the season to injury, quarterback Wes Lunt has proven to be a capable passer and brings with him a bit of mobility as well. Lunt has gone 141-for-216, for 1,671 yards and 14 TDs in limited action and is now only one game removed from his injury. Josh Ferguson has been solid running the ball but 119 carries for 581 yards isn’t going to strike the fear of God into any defense, least of all Penn State’s.

The Bad:

Giving up over 260 yards on the ground per game isn’t a good thing and that’s what Illinois’ defense has averaged this year. Add in the fact teams are averaging 36 points a game against the Illini and even Penn State’s struggling offense should at least be able to run the ball for a few scores. Illinois has given up 30 or more points in all but one Big Ten game this year. Amazingly enough Illinois has only two made field goals to its name this season. That certainly makes Penn State’s Sam Ficken the easy favorite in the special teams department this weekend.

The Player To Watch:

Illinois will go as Lunt goes this weekend and that shouldn’t come as a shock for a team that isn’t very good at any one thing. Averaging 255 yards passing per game is 45th best in the nation but it’s hard to see Penn State’s defense getting lit up through the air as the young secondary continues to impress. Lunt might keep Illinois in the game for a while and against a turnover prone Nittany Lion offense, keeping Illinois in the game could turn into winning the game if Lunt gets a short field to work with.

The Prediction: 

While Penn State hasn’t been overly impressive at any point in the conference schedule, on paper this game is Penn State’s to lose. The Nittany Lions have the better defense, they have the better kicker and they have more weapons on offense. Illinois might be able to keep things close with Senior Day emotions, but Penn State’s own mistakes should be the biggest concern for the Nittany Lions. Bad weather might not help matters any either.

Penn State 27-Illinois 10

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