Published September 7, 2011 - 10:26am
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The Matchup: No. 3 Alabama (1-0, 0-0) vs. Penn State (1-0, 0-0)
When: September 10, 2011
Where: State College, Pennsylvania
Game Time: 3:30 PM ET
TV: ABC
What You Need To Know About Alabama:
This will be AJ McCarron’s first road start, ever. He clearly won the job over Phillip Sims in week one, but Sims will be there to go to if the Tide ever need him. The running game of Trent Richardson, Eddie Lacy and even Jalston Fowler forms a nice trio – but Lacy has to hold on to the football.
The offensive line struggled a week ago, and this unit needs to respond strongly. It’s one of the best offensive lines in the country. The running backs only ran for 175 yards a week ago, and early on, Alabama had a tough time establishing the run.
Defensively, this team is as good as or better than anyone in the country. This unit will keep the Tide in every football game this season.
What You Need To Know About Penn State:
Penn State defeated Indiana State in week one 41-7. The Nittany Lions could likely play two quarterbacks in Matt McGloin and Rob Bolden in this game. Both only combined for 114 yards passing and no touchdowns last Saturday.
However, Penn State does feature the running game and will likely try to run the football against Alabama to settle their quarterbacks in. Sophomore Silas Redd will be the starter, as he rushed for 104 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries last week.
Senior wide receiver Derek Moye is the best player on the offense at 6-5, 202lbs with 4.5 speed, but Penn State could have a tough time getting him the football.
What I’m Looking At:
I am looking at two things in this matchup. First, I’m looking at Alabama’s quarterback AJ McCarron, and this will be his first road game. It comes at a very difficult place to play in Happy Valley. How will he handle this start? Will he be rattled? I am interested in seeing how he responds. Alabama will likely establish the run early to open up the passing game.
Second, this Alabama defense was just suffocating a week ago against Kent State. With the quarterback situation of Penn State shaky at best, Alabama will have be set to stop the run, making Penn State try and beat them through the air. Saban is especially good in these kinds of situations.
Basically to me this is a battle of the legends.Both teams are big in both the past and in the here-and-now.Both are good defensively and show weapons on offense.Its gonna come down to the wire.
Bama-31 Penn State-27
For several reasons I think this should be a relatively low scoring game. Im saying Bama 20-Penn St-13. This one should scare Alabama fans more than most are seeming to think.
I think things go the opposite way this week for ‘Bama. I would say more like a 23-13 game. Where ‘Bama’s QB’s make the mistakes in key situations that cost them the game.
spoken just like a tennerrsee fan. i look forward to seeing yall in t-town the third weekend in oct. yall going to bring 2 buses one for the real college players an one for the law breakin players yall have?
Yeah we’ll bring two buses. One for the players, but the other for the band following playin rocky top to and from tuscaloosa. Really Bama has a great team, I just think a few mistakes can kill them this season. I don’t believe they are a true title contenteder. I dont think that about anyone in the SEC. I do hate to see the championship streak end. But it will come to and end this season. I’ll change my tune hopefully. I just can’t see it this year.
no way is this going to be a easy game. they hate bama in happy valley. my feelin is if we can be fired up at the start an not let them get a couple scores ahead. then a lot of penn st. fans will be going home early.
As a true BAMA fan all of my life (born and raised in Foley, Alabama)…..I believe this game this week will be much tougher than our opener against Kent State. This game is always a great game to watch, however, I do believe that BAMA will come out on top. I am estimating a score of 21 (BAMA) to 14 (Penn State). McCarron looked great last week as did the BAMA offense, however, Penn State’s offense will struggle with BAMA’s defense….ROLL TIDE ROLL!
Bama wins big and aubarn goes down in flames. Georgia is an embarrassment to the SEC!
Personally, comparing the two teams by what ive seen this season, which isn’t much I have to say the Only good game so far was Baylor and TCU. Everybody played aweful, Alabama had the sloppiest win ive seen in a long time, Auburn ….. just wow.
So looking at penn state and alabama I have to think Saban has straightened his players out lol Im going to go with Alabama 31 Penn state 17