Black Shoe Diaries’ staff predictions for the game between Penn State and Northwestern show that Penn State bloggers aren’t sure who’s going to come away with this one. Four of the six bloggers say Penn State will come out on top, but our own Adam Bittner writes:
Penn State’s secondary hasn’t done anything to make me feel comfortable heading into this game. Dan Persa is ranked near the very top of the Big Ten in many statistical passing categories, and he seems to be meeting precisely the type of defense that caters to his game. Over the years, we’ve seen some of the better drop-back quarterbacks in college football pick Penn State apart. From Mark Sanchez, to Ricky Stanzi, to even Greg McElroy at times during Penn State’s loss to Alabama earlier this season, there’s evidence that Penn State just doesn’t play well against good quarterbacks. While it’s probably a little unfair to compare Persa’s game to that of some of the others, the truth is, he’s still a solid guy to have back there and capable of making big throws. If Penn State is going to get Joe Paterno win No. 400, the key will be shutting down Persa and the Northwestern passing game. If the Nittany Lions can do that, there’s a good chance they can win this game, but if they can’t, things might get out of hand quickly.
Nittany Lines, meanwhile, likes PSU to win in a shootout, but notes that Persa could give Penn State trouble
This could be a double-digit win for Northwestern if Persa gets that offense cranked up the way Michigan had it going at the Beav last Saturday in the second half. In other words, Wildcats could drop 30-plus. But I’m hoping for a Northwestern turnover or two and a second consecutive week of a revived Nittany Lion offense. And I don’t care if Bolden or McGloin is the catalyst. Penn State 34, Northwestern 30.
Also, ESPN’s Big Ten blog picks Penn State to win, 23-21, and The 50-Yard Lion thinks Penn State will win by ten.