We’re late to the party with this week’s Blue White Round Table, so we’ll cut to the chase and be brief with this week’s edition. Be sure to check Black Shoe Diaries later on for the full recap to hear what everyone has to say this week as Penn State prepares for Purdue.
1. How satisfying was that win against the Hawkeyes?
Mildly. Before the season started I think most of us agreed that a win against Iowa would have been more important than a win over Alabama, and I still think that is true because this is conference play. The defense manhandled Iowa, causing turnovers and holding Iowa’s top two offensive players under 100 yards of offense, and they kept Iowa out of the end zone for the first time in four seasons. That is an remarkable feat in itself. We know the defense is rock solid, and it was good to see them lead the way against Iowa.
But the offense still is lagging and will be what holds them back, at least until settling on a quarterback, which does not seem to be happening any time soon.
2. Rob Bolden played two series during the Iowa game. Has the staff actually settled on a QB? Do you expect to see Bolden off the bus first against the Boilermakers?
I think this is the week Matt McGloin finally gets to step off the bus first, and I anticipate it will go to his head rater quickly. While McGloin will get the majority of the snaps this week, I still believe we will see Bolden get a few opportunities. Who knows. Maybe Bolden comes out on fire without the “pressure” of being the starter.
I may not be a huge fan of McGloin, after half a season it is painfully obvious that McGloin gives the offense a better chance to do something. I also say that McGloin will also cost the team in games against Nebraska and Wisconsin (Ohio State is a wild card right now) and if Derek Moye is not on the field I think everyone should be concerned about what McGloin will do
3. Curtis Dukes. Discuss.
It was great to see Dukes emerge a little bit last week against Iowa and give Silas Redd a couple plays off. Hopefully he continues to develop and become that solid alternative to Redd that I thought we would see Stephfon Green fill once again this season. But speaking of Green, he saw one (maybe two or three?) plays in his first game of the season. Is there any chance he will have an impact in the second half of the season or is that just wishful thinking?
4. Purdue comes into Beaver Stadium off of a big win against maybe the worst team in major college football. We know they’re capable of running the ball. How much trouble do you expect them to give Penn State’s vaunted defense?
If Purdue’s biggest asset is running the football, then they are doomed this weekend because Penn State’s defense will limit the damage done on the ground and force Purdue to use their 16 quarterbacks to throw the football and make something happen. Even without D’Anton Lynn, that is good news for the Boilermakers.
5. Predictions.
Penn State should win this one rather easily. Purdue romped against Minnesota so they may feel as though they have some swagger, but this is also a team that has lost to Rice and needed to block a field goal in the final minute to defeat Middle Tennessee State by three points. Purdue, quite simply, is not very good. At. All.
Penn State 32, Purdue 9
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