Penn State Phryday Preview

Yinzers,

Welcome home! This week is homecoming as the Illinois Fightin' Illini come to town. The parade starts at 7:00 and the game is at 12:00 pm tomorrow on ESPN2. So the Friday night air in Happy Valley will be festive and filled with the voices of Nittany Nationals from the new era and of times of yore. Ergo, get to the bars early and stay there because all the alumni coming back will be looking to relive their glory days at this great institution. I would advise hitting up the Rathskeller, the alumni spot. If you can pick out the right alums, you can drink for free all night. But enough about that, on to the game.

The Illini come into Beaver Stadium toting a 2-2 record with losses to Missouri and Ohio State. In these two losses however, they were in within striking distance for the vast majority of the game. Illinois is one of the other teams in the Big Ten, along with Penn State, that is rebuilding after the loss of some key players. With Arelius Benn, Rashard Mendenhall and Juice Williams gone, this team is struggling to find its identity. The Illini are using a spread-option style offense in which they run the ball 3 out of 4 downs in every series. They are 29th in the nation running the ball, averaging just over 200 yards per game. If they want to be successful on offense, they will keep running that option, counters and screen passes. On defense, just like all the other games this season against Penn State, the Illini should try to shut down Evan Royster and put the ball in young Robert Bolden's hands if they want to be successful.

For Penn State, somebody needs to step up and take a leadership role. There is no definitive leader on this team. For the last two years, Daryll Clark carried the spirit of the team on his shoulders and nobody has stepped up to replace him. That is the first problem that needs fixed. Earlier this week, there was a players-only meeting to discuss the team's shortcomings. Dropped passes, poor blocking and poor tackling have plagued the team this year. The defense is over-aggressive and runs right past screen plays and counters. If Penn State wants to get back on the winning track this weekend, they need to show some fire in their hearts. Take no prisoners and get back to their game plan. Get Evan Royster at least 20 carries and 100 yards to open up the passing game for Robert Bolden. Take advantage of match-ups like Derrick Moye against short corners and Devon Smith against slow linebackers. On defense, play with a calm rage. Remember your reads and just let it flow. Illinois is not going to pass all that much, so bring 8 guys in the box and get big. It's homecoming, baby. If you're not excited this weekend, you don't belong on the field. Get out there and do work.

For the Glory,
B Brog