Orange Bowl: Penn State VS Florida State

[GIANT PIGEON]

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#3 Penn State(10-1)Big 10 Champ vs. #22 Florida State(8-4)ACC Champ
Jan. 3, 8 p.m.
Miami, Fla.

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PENN STATE
2 Points... thats all that separated the Nittany Lions from a Perfect Season, Though they finished with 1 loss, Penn State surprised everyone, whether media or fans, many of whom expected them to finish no better than 6th in the Big 10. How do you explain such a season? With many people asking for Joe-Pa to step down, saying he was finished as a coach, seemed to disappear almost instantly. The Lions surprising season can be explained by a few key events. 1) Michael Robinson growing up before our eyes and becoming a star QB, 2) Paul Posluszny, Tamba Hali, and Alan Zemaitas leading a very potent Penn State defense, and 3) The Freshman Class- JoePa may have been criticized for not winning but he was still a very good recruiter, and brought in a stellar class led by #1 Prospect WR Derrick Williams. Penn State proved the doubters wrong this year by winning big games at Northwestern and against Ohio State with their only loss coming to Michigan. Who expected this from them... a BCS Bowl, a shot at finishing ranked #2 in the country, and JoePa proving he can still coach with the best of them.
Key wins
@ Northwestern
Ohio State

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FLORIDA STATE
No one really knew what to expect of the Seminoles this season, the pre-season seemed to bring bad news every week, including the season ending injury to Pre-Season All-American CB Antonio Cromartie, Starting QB Wyatt Sexton was lost for the season after being diagnosed with Lyme Disease, and the Seminoles #1 DT Clifton Dickson was ruled academically ineligible. However the Seminoles started off the season as if nothing had happened winning their first 5 games including important games at Miami and at Boston College. But injuries again showed up, The Noles lost their best O-Lineman Matt Meinrod for the season, his replacement John Frady also was lost to injury, and starting LT Cory Niblock was lost for the season. However the Noles went on to 7-1(this is where things got ugly), the "noles proceeded to lose their next 3, the players suffering injuries here: DE Kamerion Wimbley(chop blocks at NC State), RB Leon Washington, WR Greg Carr(hip pointer), all were key players and none were effective while playing injured(Wimbley not playing at all). The low point a 36-7 loss to rivals UF seemed to light a fire in this team going into the ACC Championship game against a heavily favored Va. Tech team with 1 loss, a team very similar to the Penn State team FSU will be facing. FSU came away with a stunning 27-22 win to bring them to the Orange Bowl.
Key wins
@ Miami
Virginia Tech


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-DEFENSE-
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http://vmedia.rivals.com//images/stats/logos/pennstate_statslogo.gifTamba Hali and Paul Poslusznyhttp://vmedia.rivals.com//images/stats/logos/pennstate_statslogo.gif
Tamba Hali should be foaming at the mouth looking for a shot at the Seminoles battered O-Line, hes racked up 17 Tackles for a loss and 11 sacks. Posluszny is all over the field for the Nittany Lions, he is easily their defensive MVP this season and is considered a top 5 LB in the country, he also won the Bednarik and Butkus awards this year for best defensive player and best linebacker. They will both be expected to contain RB's Leon Washington and Lorenzo Booker.

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http://vmedia.rivals.com//images/stats/logos/floridastate_statslogo.gifBrodrick Bunkley and Ernie Simshttp://vmedia.rivals.com//images/stats/logos/floridastate_statslogo.gif
Brodrick Bunkley has been a menace to opposing offensive lines, racking up a whopping 23 Tackles for a Loss, 9 Sacks, 1 Forced Fumble and a fumble recovery. Sims has been slowed by a pre-season injury but usually comes up big when needed. Bunkley and Sims will be key in slowing down a very mobile Michael Robinson at QB for Penn State, Bunkley is expected to force Robinson out of the pocket while Sims has the speed to contain Robinson and make sure he can't break off long scrambles and burn the defense.

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-OFFENSE-

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http://vmedia.rivals.com//images/stats/logos/pennstate_statslogo.gifTony Hunt and Michael Robinsonhttp://vmedia.rivals.com//images/stats/logos/pennstate_statslogo.gif
Tony Hunt is averaging a nice 6.0 yards per carry and he needs to be effective for Penn State to win going against an effective FSU run defense that should have its top two D-Lineman back together. Robinson is as much a threat throwing the ball as he is to run, its hard to get a read on how FSU will try and play him, either like Virginias Marques Hagans(FSU lost) or Va. Tech's Mike Vick(FSU won)

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http://vmedia.rivals.com//images/stats/logos/floridastate_statslogo.gifWillie Reid and Drew Weatherfordhttp://vmedia.rivals.com//images/stats/logos/floridastate_statslogo.gif
Willie Reid is the most cmplete WR on this team and needs to contribute not only as a WR but also during Kick Returns and Punt Returns. Drew Weatherford has had a freshman season filled with ups and downs, however if this team wants to win they need to protect Drew and get him into a rhythm early in the game. When FSU scores first this year, they've won every time, the young guys need to build their confidence early in the game against a good Penn State defense.

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Nittany Lions:

Go after Weatherford and the battered FSU o-line
Run the ball effectively with Hunt and Robinson
Find mismatches against battered secondary
Force Weatherford into making a mistake

Seminoles:

Defense needs to get to Michael Robinson, force him into making mistakes
Get the ball to the WR's, no team can match up man to man with Reid, Davis, Carr, and Rouse/O'Neal/Fagg
Running game needs to show up and CB's need to step up
No turnovers!


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Penn State:
Michael Robinson 51.8% 2097 Yards 16 TD's 9 INT's
Tony Hunt 174 rushes 1047 yards 6.0 YPC 6 TD's
Deon Butler 36 receptions 18.8 Yards per Catch 9 TD's 678 Yards
Paul Posluszny 111 Tackles
Tamba Hali 11 Sacks
Alan Zemaitis 5 INT's

Florida State:
Drew Weatherford 59.2 % 2962 Yards 17 TD's 17 INT's
Lorenzo Booker 112 rushes 550 yards 4.9 YPC 4 TD's
Chris Davis 48 receptions 12.7 Yards per catch 5 TD's 611 Yards
AJ Nicholson 100 Tackles
Brodrick Bunkley 9 Sacks
Pat Watkins/Kyler Hall 3 INT's each

Bowl Notes/Milestones:

This is the sixth BCS Bowl game for Florida State in the past eight seasons.
Bobby Bowden is 1-6 all-time against Joe Paterno, winning 24-17 in the 1990 Blockbuster Bowl.
Bowden owns a .696 winning percentage in bowl games (19-8-1), the best in Division I-A history.
Joe Paterno is the only coach to ever win the Rose, Sugar, Fiesta, Orange and Cotton bowls.



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This is by far the toughest game to predict for me personally because not only do I know how good FSU can play, I also know how bad they can be. So in order to keep my bias away from this preview I asked our own Wolverine to give me his prediction on the game:

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[chiefzilla]

Coming from a Penn State fan, this game is TOTALLY stupid.

Give me a break! Florida State does NOT belong in this bowl game. Penn State should be matched up with at least a top 10 team. Let alone top 15. let alone top 20.

I was hoping for a great game. But this one is just a joke.

[hdawg3]

Coming from a Penn State fan, this game is TOTALLY stupid.

Give me a break! Florida State does NOT belong in this bowl game. Penn State should be matched up with at least a top 10 team. Let alone top 15. let alone top 20.

I was hoping for a great game. But this one is just a joke.

Thats why that they have conference championship games. Are you saying that college needs to throw them away. Florida St. is playing up to their expectations trhat they had going into the season. I hope that Penn St doesnt think that they have a cakewalk like V-Tech did. This will be a good game IMO.

[GIANT PIGEON]

Coming from a Penn State fan, this game is TOTALLY stupid.

Give me a break! Florida State does NOT belong in this bowl game. Penn State should be matched up with at least a top 10 team. Let alone top 15. let alone top 20.

I was hoping for a great game. But this one is just a joke.
Games arent played on paper bud, you can say all you want that FSU doesnt belong here but if they win, what does that say about Penn State? Just do me a favor and wait til after the game, if you win, to start the fsu doesnt belong crap...
and while im at it, lets take a look at how tyhe top 10 teams have done so far:
#7 Auburn lost
#9 Miami lost(FSU beat them)
#5 Oregon lost
#10 Va Tech won(FSU beat them)

[Dan]

I put 25 on FSU, I happen to think PSU will win, but not cover the spread

[OSUG1]

Games arent played on paper bud, you can say all you want that FSU doesnt belong here but if they win, what does that say about Penn State? Just do me a favor and wait til after the game, if you win, to start the fsu doesnt belong crap...
and while im at it, lets take a look at how tyhe top 10 teams have done so far:
#7 Auburn lost
#9 Miami lost(FSU beat them)
#5 Oregon lost
#10 Va Tech won(FSU beat them)
add Georgia to that list now

[ShutDwn]

PSU will win by more then 10, I think they might win by even more then that but I won't go to over board.

[abellamy]

Thats why that they have conference championship games. Are you saying that college needs to throw them away. Florida St. is playing up to their expectations trhat they had going into the season. I hope that Penn St doesnt think that they have a cakewalk like V-Tech did. This will be a good game IMO.
so did PITT belong in the Fiesta bowl last year? not at all. I dont think that the 'Noles belong either.

[Wolverine]

It wouldn't surprise me to see FSU win this game.

[JungleBoogie]

It wouldn't surprise me to see FSU win this game.
Yeah, and that's exactly why I picked them. :D

[Guy On Couch]

Well last time I checked it was tied at 13 at the end of the first half. Wish I would pay more attention, I never find these vBookie threads in time to bet on them.

[abellamy]

Well last time I checked it was tied at 13 at the end of the first half. Wish I would pay more attention, I never find these vBookie threads in time to bet on them.
Its 14-13 for state:)

[GIANT PIGEON]

Well last time I checked it was tied at 13 at the end of the first half. Wish I would pay more attention, I never find these vBookie threads in time to bet on them.
its actually 14-13 at the half PSU is up, stupid Cismesia missed an XP :mad:

[GatorsRock]

Its 14-13 for state:)

Thanks for narrowing it down for us. :D

[GIANT PIGEON]

OVERTIME!!!!! 16-16 as PSU misses a FG

[Patzphanatiq]

I tell ya this is a hard fought, physical, close game. Im kinda not liking the officials in this game FSU should have been flagged for roughing the passer numerous times...

I also feel sorry for PSU - they lost their top RB and their top deefensive player ( i did not like the block that injured him.. hit the knees of the player? thats kinda low class if you ask me.)

[datruth55]

Someone is going to have to score a TD because these kickers suck.

[Patzphanatiq]

missed xp by FSU, 2 missed FG's since the last minute of regulation by PSU.. who doesn't want to win?

[abellamy]

TD!!!!!!!!!!!PSU

[abellamy]

TD. FSU :(

[Patzphanatiq]

triple overtime.. sheesh

[Patzphanatiq]

imagine that, another missed FG.. this time by FSU

[Schaddy]

Even with the debacle that the kicking game has been tonight, this has been a really entertaining game! We're getting a treat between last night's Sugar Bowl and tonight's game. Hopefully the Rose Bowl can trump even these two tilts!!!

[JungleBoogie]

Man, these field goal kickers have seriously sucked it up in the second half...

[abellamy]

DOINK!!!!!!!!!
unreal. somebody score I am tired

[Patzphanatiq]

well PSU now has its 3rd time to win... vbookie event on this kick?

[Patzphanatiq]

FINALLY PSU wins 26-23 in triple overtime

[Schaddy]

Penn St wins! I'm glad that the top 3 teams in the Big 10 (Wisc, PSU, OSU) saved face for the conference by sweeping the top bowl matchups. :D

[Patzphanatiq]

JoePa is now 7-1 vs Bowden..lol

[GIANT PIGEON]

What a game! i'm almost not dissapointed, just wow...great game

[Jwalk]

im going to go kill myself now. at least wisconsin won!

[datruth55]

I thought Kelly missed the last FG until they said Penn State won. That almost hit the upright.

[GIANT PIGEON]

am i the only one that thinks this was one of the best if not the best games of the year?

[datruth55]

am i the only one that thinks this was one of the best if not the best games of the year?
Yep I think you're it. :D

[Youngstown Colt]

am i the only one that thinks this was one of the best if not the best games of the year?Yeah, you might be alone in that one.

[Champ]

am i the only one that thinks this was one of the best if not the best games of the year?

I think it was right up there with the ND-USC game. This game was great, too bad one of the teams had to lose. I just can't get over FSU kicking problems in big situations.

[hdawg3]

so did PITT belong in the Fiesta bowl last year? not at all. I dont think that the 'Noles belong either.

I guess that FSU proved you and the the other doubters wrong by playing like they deserved to be in this game against Penn St.

BTW Pitt isnt in the same class as FSU. Bowden is a legend.

[Guy On Couch]

5 hours is a long ass time for a football game.



I LOVE IT!!!

[abellamy]

I guess that FSU proved you and the the other doubters wrong by playing like they deserved to be in this game against Penn St.

BTW Pitt isnt in the same class as FSU. Bowden is a legend.

and lets not forget Penn had there leading rusher out. I was actually very unimpressed with both teams. neither of them could get anything going, and when they did, the drive would stall and result in a missed fieldgoal.
BTW I never said PITT was in the same class, but the only reason they were there was becasue they were conference champs, the only reason FSU was there, oh, conference champs. thats all I was simply referring to.
The BCS is crap and everyone knows it, how else would people in the top 6 of the BCS get left out of the BCS bowls that are suppossed to reward them(i.e. Cal and Oregon)

[hdawg3]

and lets not forget Penn had there leading rusher out. I was actually very unimpressed with both teams. neither of them could get anything going, and when they did, the drive would stall and result in a missed fieldgoal.
BTW I never said PITT was in the same class, but the only reason they were there was becasue they were conference champs, the only reason FSU was there, oh, conference champs. thats all I was simply referring to.
The BCS is crap and everyone knows it, how else would people in the top 6 of the BCS get left out of the BCS bowls that are suppossed to reward them(i.e. Cal and Oregon)

And lets not forget that FSU had a make shift o-line also.

[Champ]

and lets not forget Penn had there leading rusher out. I was actually very unimpressed with both teams. neither of them could get anything going, and when they did, the drive would stall and result in a missed fieldgoal.
BTW I never said PITT was in the same class, but the only reason they were there was becasue they were conference champs, the only reason FSU was there, oh, conference champs. thats all I was simply referring to.
The BCS is crap and everyone knows it, how else would people in the top 6 of the BCS get left out of the BCS bowls that are suppossed to reward them(i.e. Cal and Oregon)


Cal wasn't in the top 6 and Oregon lost in their bowl game, so it's not like either one would have been a better choice over FSU. Only reason FSU was there is because they beat a top 5 team in the ACC title game. It's not like they sucked and was handed the ACC, they had to play for it.

[abellamy]

Cal wasn't in the top 6 and Oregon lost in their bowl game, so it's not like either one would have been a better choice over FSU. Only reason FSU was there is because they beat a top 5 team in the ACC title game. It's not like they sucked and was handed the ACC, they had to play for it.
Cal was fourth last year, and they were left out. Lets see why Oregon lost, oh maybe their starting QB was out and the top Defensive lineman in the nation in Ngata. Tthat could have an impact on your team. I am not saying that FSU sucked, in fact until they lost those three games in a row I was actually really impressed. I just dont think a team with 4 losses should be in a BCS bowl game.

[GIANT PIGEON]

and lets not forget Penn had there leading rusher out.
dont try that so and so was injured bit, you wont win that argument against FSU, way too many injuries for fsu

and for the the whole PITT comparison, the Big East is not the ACC