Temple Owls (0-1) 0-0 ATS, 0-0 O/U at No. 6 Penn State Nittany Lions (2-0) 0-2 ATS, 0-2 O/U Saturday September 19, 2009 Beaver Stadium, University Park, PA
by Wilson of Predictem.com
Point Spread: Temple +29.5/Penn State -29.5
Over/Under: 46
The Penn State Nittany Lions showed the Syracuse Orangemen why they are the No. 6 team in the country. Penn State beat the Orange 28-7 in Happy Valley last weekend as point-guard converted to Syracuse QB Greg Paulus got a taste of how an effective offense functions. Penn State provided the taste, but it really wasnt brutal beating just a solid win.
Nittany Lions QB Daryll Clark threw for 240 yards and three touchdowns. Penn State did not have a successful day running the ball as they only totaled 78 yards rushing and they also had three turn overs. Penn States 78 yards rushing was their lowest since 2006 at Wisconsin when they only had 36 total rushing yards.
Penn State is 29-2 in their last 31 games and they start the season 2-0 for the third straight season. Running back Evan Royster was a huge spark for the Nittany Lions as he scored two of the Lions four touchdowns even though he only had 41 yards on 12 carries it was timely enough to get the plays they needed.
The Nittany Lions are averaging nearly 30 points per game and only allowing 7 to their opponents. Head Coach of the Lions, Joe Paterno praised his running back Evan Royster by saying Royster can do it all. But Paterno also knows that his team must get better quickly. The Nittany Lions have played poorly in their first two games and they basically got away with it because of their talent and athleticism. Wide receiver Graham Zug also had a career-high with 79 yards on six grabs and one for a 20 yard TD reception.
The player to watch for Penn State is definitely Evan Royster. Royster is a natural football player who has a built in feel for the game. He is fast, allusive, and has a nose for the end zone.
Temple enters this weekends game with a chip on their shoulder after a heartbreaking loss to Villanova 27-24. The Owls gave up a ten point lead and eventually lost on a last second field goal.
The Owls QB Vaughn Charlton had a huge game by going 19 of 28 for 317 yards and 2 touchdowns but he also had 3 INTs. The last INT by Charlton cost Temple the game.
Temple will not survive against Penn State if they cant establish the running game. Penn State is in the same situation as they have struggled to get the ground game going as well.
Ok, so realistically, Penn State should absolutely destroy the Owls, and the sports books in Vegas and the offshore casinos all agree. Anytime a team heads into Beaver Stadium it is intimidating, but the Owls may just hang with the Nittany Lions if they can keep putting up big numbers with the passing game. The key for both teams will be to establish the run early and avoid costly turnovers.
Penn State has won the last ten meetings between the two schools. Last year the Nittany Lions beat Temple 45-3. The Owls will have to step up and compete in Happy Valley as 29.5 dogs. The O/U is 12-3 in Temples last 15 games as the underdog. The Owls are also 9-4 ATS in their last 14 games overall. Penn State is 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games against teams with losing records.
I have a tough time seeing the Nittany Lions not crushing the Owls.
Wilsons Pick: I like the UNDER in this game. Temple may not even score. Look for more of the same Saturday. Luck to ya.
